The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has stated that it will appeal today’s ruling of the Federal High Court, Abuja, quashing the money laundering charges preferred by the Commission against Mr. Andrew Yakubu, the former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, NNPC.
WikkiTimes learned that Yakubu was arraigned by the Commission in March 2017 following the discovery of $9.8million stashed in his property located in the Sabon Tasha Suburb of Kaduna.
He had pleaded not guilty upon arraignment claiming that the money found was gifts he received from his friends.
In the course of the trial, the Commission called witnesses and tendered documents in evidence, but the defendant filed a no-case submission and the court based on that struck out two of the six counts.
Two further counts were chalked off upon appeal by the defendant while the appellate court ordered his continued trial on the remaining two counts.
Delivering judgment today, Justice Ahmed Mohammed held that the prosecution failed to prove the ingredient of the offence beyond a reasonable doubt, ruling that the Commission ought to have investigated the defendant’s claims that the monetary gifts he claimed to have received came from his friends, and tender the recovered cash before the court. he consequently discharged and acquitted Mr. Andrew Yakubu.
However, the Commission believes the trial judge erred in dismissing the charge and has resolved to test the ruling at the appellate court.
Babaji Usman Babaji is an investigative journalist with over four years of experience, renowned for his impactful reporting on corruption, human rights violations, and holding those in power accountable in Nigeria.
His career is distinguished by participation in numerous media training programs and conferences, which have honed his investigative and reporting skills. Babaji’s data-driven stories have made a significant impact, particularly in Northern Nigeria, shedding light on critical issues and driving meaningful change.
As a reporter under WikkiTimes’ Collaborative Media (CMEDIA) Project, Babaji has led several groundbreaking investigations. He was a 2022 fellow of the Centre for Journalism Innovation and Development (CJID) and a 2024 Media Foundation for West Africa DPI/DPG fellow. His contributions to accountability journalism earned him a Certificate of Recognition from Xchange Hama Media for impactful community work.
