Waripamo Owei-Dudafa, a former aide to ex-President Goodluck Jonathan, was on Thursday discharged and acquitted by a Federal High Court Sitting in Lagos over an alleged N1.6billion fraud charge.
Justice Mohammed Idris, while delivering judgement in a 190-page document said that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt, any of the 22-charge it instituted against Owei-Dudafa and a Heritage Bank staff, Joseph Iwejuo.
The judge also held that EFCC’s case was “based on suspicions” and suspicions “cannot take the place of legal evidence.”
He said that the Commission equally failed to call vital witnesses, including Former President Goodluck Jonathan, the detained former NSA Sambo Dasuki, and even the CBN governor.
Justice Idris added that and such failure was fatal to the case of the EFCC with a particular vital witness, Sompre Omeibi, who could have linked the defendants to the offences, was not summoned to testify.
Continuing, the judge also said the Prosecution (EFCC) failed to carry out a proper investigation as it did not conclude its investigation before rushing to court, thereby living loopholes.
Justice Idris dismissed the entire 22 counts charge against Dudafa and Iwuejo.
