Court Acquits Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil of Fraud Charges

On October 16, the Federal High Court in Abuja discharged and acquitted Aliyu Abubakar, Chairman of AA Oil Limited, and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited, along with six other defendants, of alleged $1bn money laundering offences related to Oil Prospecting Licence 245. Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/268/2016, was filed in December 2016 and involved 43 counts of alleged fraudulent dealings. Justice Ekwo criticized the EFCC for proceeding with the prosecution despite a 2018 letter from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, then led by Abubakar Malami, which advised against prosecution due to insufficient evidence.

The judge emphasized that investigations must be concluded before charges are filed and stated that no prosecuting agency is superior to the Attorney-General. He ordered the discharge and acquittal of all eight defendants.