In a significant ruling, the Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu, former aides to the ex-Nigerian Senate President Bukola Saraki, from charges of N3.5 billion fraud.
Following the court’s decision, Makanjuola, who faced allegations of fraud along with two other defendants, expressed his profound relief and gratitude. Speaking with journalists, he said, “To God be the glory, I have been vindicated. It’s been a tough journey for me for almost eight years, but at the end of the day, I just want to thank God for seeing me through.”
Makanjuola praised the court’s decision, highlighting a recent Supreme Court judgment that validated the legitimacy of the funds in question as part of a legitimate commercial transaction. “The court confirmed that with the Supreme Court judgment, the criminal charges cannot proceed again, and that’s the end of it,” he stated.
Represented by Senior Advocates Mr. Paul Erokoro, SAN, and Mr. Ojukwu, SAN, Hon. Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu had strong legal support. The third defendant received representation from Mr. Wale Adewumi, Esq., and his team.
In 2018, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Makanjuola and three other defendants before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos. The charges included conspiracy, money laundering, and the unlawful payment of funds without going through financial institutions.
EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Iheanacho, accused the defendants, including Melrose General Services Limited and Robert Chidozie Mbonu (currently at large), of conspiring to disguise the origin of N3.5 billion deposited into Melrose General Services Limited’s Access Bank account in December 2016. Iheanacho further alleged that Melrose General Services, through its operations manager Obiora Amobi, made a cash payment of N300 million to Robert Mbonu without using a financial institution.
Moreover, Makanjuola, Saraki’s Deputy Chief of Staff, and Kolawole Shittu, a Cashier in the Senate President’s office, were accused of making cash payments of $500,000 without utilizing a financial institution in December 2016. These actions were said to violate the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
All defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail in the sum of N250 million each with two sureties.
In 2020, the defendants challenged the court’s jurisdiction, arguing that the charges were invalid. After hearing arguments from both sides, the court struck out the case due to improper charges.
Despite this, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, SAN, re-filed the charges in January 2021 at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In May 2024, the defendants were rearraigned before Hon. Justice P.O. Lifu on amended charges, including conspiracy, accepting cash payments beyond the legal threshold, and theft. They again pleaded not guilty and were granted bail.
Ultimately, the Federal High Court’s decision to discharge Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu marks the end of a prolonged legal battle, bringing relief to the defendants and their families.
