The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission note with concern two
separate decisions by court on December 13, 2013 in cases investigated by the
Commission.
The first was the acquittal of former Chairman of the Nigerian
Ports Authority, Chief Olabode Goerge and five others by the Supreme Court. The
other was the acquittal of former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory,
Mallam Nasir el-Rufai and two other by a Federal Capital Territory High Court.
Without going into the merit or otherwise of the Supreme court ruling,
it is unfortunate that the apex court disagreed with the decision of the two
lower courts- the Lagos High Court and the Court of Appeal- which upheld the
conviction of the accused persons based on the evidence presented by the
Commission.
While this turn of event is saddening, the Commission as a law abiding
institution always respected judicial pronouncements and this will be no
different.
On El- Rufai and others, the trial judge, Justice Sadiq Umar believes
the Commission failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused
persons. This is against the weight of the evidence presented by the Commission
in court. Consequently, the EFCC has resolved to pursue an appeal against the ruling
at the Court of Appeal.
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