The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has acknowledged a lack of evidence to support its charges of fraud, bribery, and conspiracy against former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Bello Adoke. The charges are related to the OPL 245 transaction of 2011.
In response to the no-case submission filed by Adoke, the EFCC informed the FCT High Court that it would not oppose the application. The anti-graft agency similarly stated that it would not contest the no-case applications submitted by other defendants, including Aliyu Abubakar, Rasky Gbinigie (Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd company secretary), Malabu Oil & Gas Ltd, Nigeria Agip Exploration Ltd, Shell Ultra Deep Nigeria Ltd, and Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Ltd (SNEPCo) on certain charges.
However, the EFCC emphasized that Gbinigie has a case to answer regarding the alleged forgery of company documents to remove the name of Mohammed Abacha as a director of Malabu Oil & Gas.
The charges against Adoke allege that he received a gratification of N300 million from Abubakar in connection with the OPL 245 resolution. Adoke, denying all allegations, asserted that the N300 million constituted a mortgage he obtained from Unity Bank Plc in 2012. He explained that the amount was directly transferred by the bank to Abubakar’s account and was later refunded by Abubakar in 2013 when Adoke couldn’t meet his equity contribution.
The acknowledgment by the EFCC of a lack of evidence adds a new dimension to the legal proceedings, and the case continues to draw attention as it unfolds in the FCT High Court, Abuja.