The
Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has said that the acquittals of
a chieftain of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Olabode George
by the Supreme Court and former minister of the Federal Capital Territory,
Malam Nasir El-Rufa’i by a Federal Capital Territory High Court, both on
Friday, Dec 13, were unfortunate decisions.
The
anti-graft agency in a statement by its spokesman, Wilson Uwujaren, made available
yesterday said it noted with concern the apex and the lower courts’ decisions
in cases investigated by the commission involving the former chairman of the
Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Bode George and five others and another one
involving el-Rufai and two others, which was adjudicated by an FCT High Court.
Regarding
the ex-NPA chair, EFCC said: “Without going into the merit or otherwise of the
Supreme Court ruling, it is unfortunate that the apex court disagreed with the
decision of the two lower courts – the Lagos High Court and the Court of Appeal
- which upheld the conviction of the accused persons based on the evidence
presented by the commission.”
On
El-Rufai and others, the EFCC said the trial judge, Justice Sadiq Umar believed
the commission failed to establish a prima facie case against the accused
persons, adding that this is against the “weight of the evidence” presented by
its lawyers in court.
The
EFCC further said that it has resolved to pursue an appeal against El-Rufai’s
acquittal at the Court of Appeal, while it will abide by the Supreme Court
decision over George and others.
“While
this turn of event is saddening, the commission as a law abiding institution
always respected judicial pronouncements and this will be no different,” it
said.
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