N100bn Scam: Court Discharges Mohammed Abacha

Mohammed Abacha

A Federal Capital Territory High Court, on Wednesday, discharged Mohammed Abacha, son of late former Military Head of State , General Sani Abacha, for allegedly receiving N100.38 billion worth of stolen property.
The Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation, on behalf of the Federal Government, had filed a nine-count charge against Abacha.
But Justice Mamman Kolo of the FCT High Court discharged Abacha after Federal Government’s Counsel, Daniel Enwelum, made an oral application asking the court to withdraw the criminal charges against the suspect.
The judge also granted the application for discontinuation of trial, which was not opposed by the defense counsel, Mr Abdullahi Haruna.
At the resumed hearing of the case, the Federal Government counsel told the court that he was instructed by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) to withdraw the charges.

Enwelum argued that the application became necessary in view of emerging facts and circumstances of the case.
The prosecution thereafter filed a notice of discontinuation of the case.
It would be recalled that Enwelum was hired by government to prosecute the case to its logical conclusion.
The AGF alleged that Abacha had received property worth N100.38 billion between 1995 and 1998, which was acquired unlawfully by the father and later forfeited to government.

June 18, 2014