DSO Project: Moddibo Kawu Acquitted Of Fraud Charges
Former Director General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Alhaji Modibbo Ishaq Kawu has been acquitted of fraud charges ditto Pinnacle Communications Limited, and two others.
Recall that the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had in May 2019 preferred charges against Mallam Moddibo Ishaq Kawu and two others, and the charges had bordered on abuse of office, money laundering, among others.
It centered on the N2.5 billion that was released to Pinnacle Communications Limited as seed grant for the Digital Switch-Over (DSO) programme that was introduced by the Federal Government.
The ICPC had alleged that the defendants violated a government White Paper governing the DSO programme, which had specified that only government-owned entities are eligible for the seed grant
They were re-arraigned in July 2020 following an amendment made to the charges to allow the removal of the name of a deceased defendant, Lucky Omoluwa, who was until his death, the Chairman of Pinnacle Communications.
The number of charges was also reduced from 12 to 5.
Team@orientactualmags.com learned that Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo-Giwa of the Federal High Court , Abuja ruled on Thursday that ICPC failed to prove its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt.
‘The witnesses’ statements did not directly link the defendants to the alleged fraud’ she said.
The judge added that ICPC did not tender any documentary evidence to corroborate its claims while noting that former Minister of Information and Culture, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, who allegedly approved the payment under ‘questionable circumstances’, was not called to testify.
She also said some witnesses noted that the minister may have been misled into approving the payment.
Justice Ogunbanjo-Giwa declared the defendants acquitted after noting that the prosecution had failed to prove its case against the defendants beyond reasonable doubt .
She struck out the charges on the grounds that they are invalid-Team@orientactualmags.com Do you have any information you wish to share with us? Do you want us to cover your event or programme? Kindly send SMS to 08059100286, 09094171980 or get in touch via orientactualmag@gmail.com. Thank you
