Court gives verdict on $2m fraud case against Atiku’s lawyer
- The EFCC has failed in its bid to convict former VP Atiku's lawyer, Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie
- The anti-graft agency had dragged Giwa-Osagie for allegedly delivering $2 million to former President Obasanjo in 2019
- However, in his ruling, Justice Aneke held that the commission failed to prove that the money was illegal
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A Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed the $2 million money laundering charge filed by against Uyiekpen Giwa-Osagie, a lawyer to Nigeria's former vice president, Atiku Abubakar.
Recall that Giwa-Osagie dragged to the court by the anti-graft agency, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The Nation reports that the court presided by Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke held, among others, that the EFCC failed to establish that the money said to have been delivered to former President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2019 was illegal.
Source: Facebook
Nigerians react on social media
Nuel Ifeanyi commented on Facebook:
"EFCC go dey charge a lawyer for Court because he chop $2million forgetting say na still lawyer go settle the matter in this our country way corrupt finish"
Abubakar Lsah said:
"Nigeria judiciary hmmmmmmm"
Eze Okeafor said:
"Were they expecting to win before!?
"Corrupt system!"
In another related report, the case of alleged fraud brought against Abdullahi Babalele, a son-in-law to former vice president, Atiku, has been discharged by the Federal High Court sitting in Lagos.
The court on Monday, December 21, 2020, threw out the two-count charge of laundering of $140,000 filed by the EFCC against the accused.
The trial judge, Justice Aneke, ruled that case was dismissed on the ground of a wrong venue.
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Meanwhile, Legit.ng earlier reported that the EFCC recently interrogated Cross River state commissioner for environment, Mfon Bassey.
He was picked up from his residence in Calabar, Thursday, January 7, by some EFCC operatives.
The commissioner was questioned by the anti-graft agency over alleged “shady deals” with persons linked to top officials of the Cross River state government.
In other news, the EFCC has disowned claim that it is currently recruiting staff.
The commission warned members of the public not to fall for the fake EFCC recruitment form circulating on social media.
The spokesperson for the EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren in a statement said fraudsters bent on extorting members of the public were behind the fake recruitment scheme.
Source: Legit.ng
