A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted Hon. Gbenga Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu, former aides to ex-Senate President Dr. Bukola Saraki, of N3.5 billion fraud charges.
Following the ruling, Makanjuola expressed relief and gratitude. “To God be the glory, I have been vindicated. It’s been a tough journey for almost eight years, but I thank God for seeing me through,” he stated.
Makanjuola praised the court’s decision, which was influenced by a recent Supreme Court judgement validating the funds in question as part of a legitimate commercial transaction. “The court confirmed that with the Supreme Court judgement, the criminal charges cannot proceed, and that’s the end of it,” he added.
Legal representation for Makanjuola and Shittu included Mr. Paul Erokoro (SAN) and Mr. Ojukwu (SAN), respectively, while the third defendant was represented by Mr. Wale Adewumi Esq and colleagues.
In 2018, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Makanjuola and three others before the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, on charges of conspiracy, money laundering, and unauthorized payment of funds. The EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Iheanacho, alleged that the defendants, including Melrose General Services Limited and Robert Chidozie Mbonu (currently at large), conspired to disguise the origin of N3.5 billion paid into Melrose’s Access Bank account in December 2016. Additionally, it was claimed that Makanjuola and Shittu made cash payments of $500,000 without using a financial institution.
The defendants pleaded not guilty and were granted bail of N250 million each with two sureties. They challenged the court’s jurisdiction in 2020, leading to the case being struck out due to improper charges. However, the EFCC refiled the charges in January 2021 at the Federal High Court in Abuja. In May 2024, the defendants were rearraigned on amended charges of conspiracy, accepting cash payments beyond the legal threshold, and stealing. They pleaded not guilty, and bail was again granted.
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