The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is currently reassessing the acquittal of former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Bello Adoke, in the Malabu OPL 245 fraud case. This decision follows the denial by the anti-graft agency of reports alleging that parties involved in the trial bribed its prosecutor, Offem Uket, to mishandle the case.
Adoke, along with other individuals and companies, was charged by the EFCC in January 2020 for his alleged involvement in collecting a gratification of N300 million related to the OPL 245 resolution. However, the trial judge, Abubakar Kutigi, dismissed the charges against Adoke, citing the EFCC’s failure to provide sufficient evidence of fraud, bribery, and money laundering.
In response to the court’s ruling, the EFCC’s Head of Media and Publicity, Dele Oyewale, announced that the commission is conducting a review of the case. This review includes considering the possibility of appealing the court’s decision and potentially changing the prosecuting counsel due to dissatisfaction with Uket’s handling of the case.
Oyewale clarified that the review process is not linked to the rumors circulating in the media about the prosecutor’s alleged misconduct. He emphasized that the EFCC has not accused any party involved in the case of improper behavior and urged the public to disregard such unfounded claims.
As the EFCC continues its review of the Malabu OPL 245 fraud case, the public is encouraged to await further updates on the commission’s next steps.
