A Federal High Court, sitting in Abuja, Friday fixed May 27 to rule on the suit of the $40 million alleged fraud filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, against Robert Azibaola, cousin to former president Goodluck Jonathan.
Azibaola and his company, One Plus Holdings, are facing a two-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption.
EFCC spokesman, Tony Orilade, in a statement, said the defendants were alleged to have received $40 million from the Office of the National Security Adviser, ONSA, during the tenure of Col. Sambo Dasuki (retd) without any contract agreement.
Orilade further stated, “The EFCC had on June 7, 2016, charged Azibaola, his wife, Stella, and the company to court on an amended nine-count charge bordering on money laundering, criminal breach of trust and corruption.
“They had pleaded not guilty to the charges, which subsequently resulted in the commencement of their trial.
“After the EFCC through its counsel, Sylvanus Tahir, closed the case of the prosecution on January 23, 2017, calling 10 witnesses and tendering several documents, the defence filed a “no-case” submission, on March 19, 2018.”
Ruling on the application, EFCC said Justice Nnamdi Dimgba sustained two of the nine counts, but held that there was no prima facie case established against Stella.
Also, it was gathered that Azibaola and One Plus were ordered to open their defence on the remaining two counts, as Stella’s name was struck off the charge sheet.
However, it was said that Azibaola took to the dock to testify in his defence, and denied diverting money to his personal use.
Subsequently, his defence team led by Chris Uche SAN, on February 6, reportedly closed its defence after calling two witnesses, including Azibaola, and presented several documents.
But presiding Justice Dimgba, at the resumed sitting on Friday, after parties had adopted their final written addresses, adjourned till May 27 for judgement.
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