N1.1b fraud: Court Strikes Out Corruption Allegations Against Ex-Customs, Boss Dikko

The Former Comptroller General of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Abdullahi Dikko has finally been discharged and acquitted of alleged misappropriation of fund

Naija News learnt that Justice Ijeoma Ojukwu, in a ruling on Wednesday, dismissed the charge marked: FHC/ABJ/CR/21/2019, following an oral application by ICPC’s lawyer, E. A. Sogunle to withdraw the charge, citing Section 108 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

Dikko was named, in the charge, with two others – a former Assistant Comptroller-General of Customs in charge of Finance, Administration and Technical Services, Garba Makarfi and Umar Hussaini, a lawyer and owner of Capital Law Office – as defendants.

Dikko, Makarfi and Hussaini were, among others, accused of inducing the Managing Director of Cambial Limited, Yemi Obadeyi, to pay N1.1 billion (₦1,100, 952,380.96) into the account of Capital Law Office as a refundable “completion security deposit” for the purchase of 120 units of duplexes as residential accommodation for officers of the Nigeria Customs Service.

Hussaini was said to have distributed the money into various other bank accounts, allegedly at the instance of the ex-Customs boss. The prosecution added that, for his part in the deal, Hussaini was rewarded with $3 million.