Court clears Aliyu Abubakar, Malabu Oil of $1bn money laundering charges

The Federal High Court in Abuja acquitted businessman Aliyu Abubakar and six other defendants in a $1 billion money laundering case linked to Oil Prospecting Licence 245. Justice Inyang Ekwo ruled that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to prove the allegations against the eight defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.

The defendants were charged in a 43-count case, filed in December 2016, over alleged fraudulent dealings involving OPL 245. The court found that the EFCC had not conducted a proper investigation before filing charges, as advised by the Attorney-General of the Federation.