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"Former AGF Acquitted of Fraud and Bribery Charges in OPL 245 Trial".

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Ochili Michael
Former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Bello Adoke, has been discharged and acquitted of fraud, bribery, and conspiracy charges filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). Justice Abubakar Kutigi of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court dismissed the charges, reprimanding the EFCC for filing "frivolous" charges against Adoke.

In upholding Adoke's no-case submission, Justice Kutigi ruled that the EFCC failed to provide credible evidence to prove the allegations of fraud, bribery, and conspiracy. The judge commended the prosecution for admitting that they did not have sufficient evidence to oppose Adoke's no-case application but criticized the agency for wasting four years prosecuting the case.

The judge emphasized that charges should not be filed without proper evidence and that frivolous charges harm the judicial system. He noted that every criminal trial requires careful attention to detail, including the quality of evidence and availability of witnesses. Justice Kutigi highlighted that the prosecution failed to prove the essential elements of the offenses and that the evidence on record was insufficient to justify continuing the trial.

The EFCC had charged Adoke along with other defendants on various counts related to bribery and conspiracy over the OPL 245 resolution. Adoke denied all allegations, claiming that he was the victim of political victimization. The other defendants were also discharged, except for the third defendant, who will open his defense in the remaining counts.

The court's decision to acquit and discharge Adoke highlights the importance of strong and credible evidence in criminal cases. It also raises questions about the EFCC's conduct in prosecuting the case and the need for more rigorous scrutiny before filing charges.

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