EFCC Reveals Next Action After Court Frees Jonathan’s Ex-Aide

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday vowed to appeal the judgement of the Federal High Court, Lagos, which freed a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan on Domestic Affairs, Waripamo-Owei Dudafa and a banker Joseph Iwuejo.

Naija News had reported that in a 190-page judgment, Justice Mohammed Idris held that the EFCC failed to prove any of the 22-count charge beyond reasonable doubt against Owei-Dudafa and a Heritage Bank worker Joseph Iwejuo.

He said the anti-graft agency’s case was “based on suspicions” but that suspicions “cannot take the place of legal evidence”.

Justice Idris also observed that the EFCC failed to call vital witnesses, including Jonathan and former NSA Sambo Dasuki, who could have helped its case.

The judge noted that a particular vital witness, Sompre Omeibi, who could have linked the defendants to the offences, was not summoned to testify.

“Why did the prosecution fail to call Sompre Omiebi to testify?”the judge wondered.

The court also dismissed the EFCC’s claim that the bags delivered by Dudafa to Jonathan contained dollars.

Reacting to the judgement, spokesperson of the anti-corruption agency, Wilson Uwujaren, said the EFCC was studying the judgement.

He also revealed that the commission would approach the appeal court for a review.