OPL 245: EFCC Denies Dropping Charges against Adoke

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission ((EFCC) has denied dropping charges against former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke.

It said contrary to media reports, Adoke was standing trial in two separate courts, a Federal High Court in Abuja and FCT High Court, Gwagwalada.

A statement issued by the commission said the former chief law officer of the federation was still standing trial for money laundering.

“The attention of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has been drawn to some media reports claiming that the Commission has dropped charges of money laundering against former Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mr. Mohammed Adoke.

“The EFCC wishes to make it abundantly clear that Mr. Adoke is standing trial in two separate courts: Federal High Court, Abuja before Justice

Inyang Ekwo in Suit Number: FHC/ABJ/CR/39/2017 and FCT High Court, Gwagwalada before Justice Idris Kutigi in Suit Number: FCT/CR/151/2020”, it said.

The statement said he was re-arraigned alongside an Abuja-based businessman, Aliyu Abubakar before Justice Ekwo on June 17, 2020 on seven-count charges, bordering on money laundering noting that the rearraignment was occasioned by the transfer of the case from Justice Binta Nyako, before whom he was originally arraigned on February 8, 2020.

“Adoke was equally arraigned before Justice Kutigi alongside others on January 23, 2020 on 42-count charges bordering on the Malabu Oil scam.

“There is another subsisting case involving Malabu Oil & Gas Limited, Aliyu Abubakar and five companies allegedly involved in money laundering charges before Justice Ekwo”, it said.

The anti-graft agency said they were arraigned on Wednesday, July 1, 2020 in Suit Number: FHC/ ABJ/CR/268/2016.