…Says No Evidence Of Guilt
By Chibuike Nwabuko
Abuja (Sundiata Post) – Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, on Tuesday dismissed the 18-count corruption charges preferred against Justice Adeniyi Ademola, his wife, Olabowale and Mr. Joe Agi (SAN).
The trio were arraigned by the Federal Government on charges bordering on criminal conspiracy to receive gratification in various ways, contrary to Section 8(1)(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Act 2000.
Justice Jude Okeke while dismissing the 18-count corruption charges ruled that, “there is no iota of evidence to proof that the defendants were guilty of the charges leveled against them”.
He said that “the prosecution did not establish prima facie case against the defendants”.
Okeke said that the prosecution should carry out proper investigations before suspects are arraigned.
In his ruling on the no-case submission of the defendants, Justice Okeke held that the prosecution did not adduce enough evidence to warrant the defendants to enter defence.
He therefore dismissed the 18-count corruption charges for lack of evidence.
Okeke said that the prosecution should carry out proper investigations before suspects are arraigned.
Sundiata Post recalls that Justice Adeniyi Ademola was among the seven judges arrested last October in a late night raid of October 8 and 9 by the Department of State Security, (DSS).
Ademola was eventually charged by the Attorney General and Minister of Justice for allegedly receiving bribes in the course of discharging his duties.