Malabu Scandal: Exclude My Name In Your Trial – Adoke To Court

The Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) had in 2017 filed charges against Shell Nigerian Exploration Production Co. Ltd, Nigerian Agip Exploration Ltd, Raph Wetzels Pujato Stefano Eni Spa, Duazia Loya Etete (a.k.a Dan Etete), Burrito Sabestiano, Aliyu Abubakar and Malabu Oil and Gas Limited.

The above-listed companies were suspected to have participated in laundering and diversion of $1.2 billion dollars paid by the oil giants, Eni and Shell through the federal Government to Malabu, a company managed under the control of Mr Etete.

The illegal fund was said to be a fund for the control of oil block, OPL 245, which was awarded illegally by Mr. Etete when he was an oil Minister in the year 1998.

The Money which was believed to be a bribe mobilized by the oil firms to grease the hand of the officials of the then President Jonathan Administration.

The giant Shell and Eni were already prosecuted in Italy for being part of the syndicate involved in the scandal.

The presiding Judge on the matter, Justice Danladi Senchi issued an arrest warrant against Adoke and his co-accused, in response to ex parte request put forward by the anti-graft agency.

However, the court had on October 25th yielded to the argument of Mr. Adoke’s Lawyer and vacated the order.

The Judge opined that since Adoke has sent himself on exile had to be served by a substituted means.

During the court session on Monday, Mr, Adoke defence cancel, Mike Ozekhome prayed that his client name be removed from the charge list.

According to him, the application was filed on November 5th but was served on the prosecution by the court bailiff on November 27th.

Mr. Ozekhome posited that EFCC lawyer, Mr. Uffer Uket informed him that he was away when the application was served on the prosecution by implication could not respond to it.

Meanwhile, both parties have agreed the matter be adjoined to December 4th for further hearing.