Connect with us
Advertisement

Nigeria News

Ex-Senate President Freed Of Corruption Charges 14 Years After Allegation Was Laid

Published

on

Ex-Senate President Wabara To Face PDP Disciplinary Committee
Advertisement

Justice S.E. Aladetoyinbo of Abuja High Court has discharged and acquitted former President of the Senate, Senator Adolphus Wabara, and two others of allegations of bribe for budget levelled against them by the Federal Government in 2005.

The two others who were set free by the court include are Ibrahim Abdulazeez and John Azuta Mbata, former senators.

The development comes 14 years after the suit was filed.

Advertisement

In his ruling, S.E Aladetoyinbo, the presiding judge, said the suit lacks witnesses to prosecute the charge.

He, therefore, discharged the defendants under section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

Advertisement

Two other defendants who were listed in the suit, Garba Matazu, a former house of reps member, and Fabian Osuji, minister of education, at the time.

The duo was not present in the court, in a suit filed by the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC).

According to the trial judge, prosecutors in the matter, which has been pending since 2005 could not raise witnesses to prosecute the case.

Advertisement
Advertisement

He said following the failure of the prosecutor to produce witnesses, each of the counsels to the defendants also urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendants under Section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015 which states as follows: “Where a complainant at any time before a final order is made in a case satisfies the court that there are sufficient grounds for permitting him to withdraw his complaint, the court may permit him to withdraw the complaint and shall thereupon acquit the defendant.”

Since the prosecutor claimed that the witnesses are no more available and this matter had been pending since 2005, the court will grant the request of defence counsel. The three Defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted under Section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.”