$1.1B Malabu deal: Adoke’s arraignment adjourned to Oct 26

The arraignment of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and others over their alleged role in the Malabu oil deal before an Abuja Federal High Court stalled due to the absence of the defendants. The case, which is before Justice John Tsoho, was subsequently adjourned to October 26 for arraignment. […]

The arraignment of former Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Bello Adoke (SAN) and others over their alleged role in the Malabu oil deal before an Abuja Federal High Court stalled due to the absence of the defendants.

The case, which is before Justice John Tsoho, was subsequently adjourned to October 26 for arraignment.

Earlier, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Johnson Ojogbane said the Federal Government has not been able to secure the attendance of the defendants are not within the Nigerian territory. He added that extradition procedures are being filed in the matter.

Adoke was on December 20 charged on nine-counts of fraud and money laundering against Adoke, alongside former Petroleum Minister, Dan Etete; and businessman Aliyu Abubakar.

Others are: Malabu Oil and Gas Limited; Rocky Top Resources Limited; Imperial Union Limited; Novel Properties and Development Company Limited; Group Construction Limited and Megatech Engineering Limited.

On March 2, he was also charged alongside directors of Shell Nigeria Exploration Production Company Ltd (SNEPCO) Agip Exploration Ltd and Eni SPA.

The director of Shell, Ralph Wetzels and three Italian directors of Agip Exploration Ltd – Casula Roberto, Putatti Stefeno and Burrafato Sebastiano. The charge also has Aliyu Abubakar (a businessman and owner of AA Oil Ltd) and Malabu Oil and Gas Ltd as defendants.