A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted former Minister of Interior, Senator Abba Moro over fraud charges in the 2014 Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) recruitment exercise.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had accused Moro and two others of conspiracy, procurement fraud and money laundering during the NIS recruitment exercise.
EFCC stated that the action of the defendants led to tragedy witnessed during the exercise, when over 14 persons died in the stampede recorded in some states.
Also accused by the anti-graft agency are former Permanent Secretary in the Ministry, Anastasia Daniel-Nwobia and an ex-director in the ministry, Felix Alayebami.
In his judgment on Thursday, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba held that the EFCC failed to establish the allegation of fraud against the defendants.
The presiding Judge therefore dismissed the allegation of abuse of office against Moro over inadequate arrangement and safeguards for the exercise after 667, 000 applicants paid N1,000 each.
Dimgba added the NIS Comptroller General testified that there was inadequate funding for the exercise, while also failing to directly take charge of the exercise.
Evaluating the submissions of the prosecution, Justice Dimgba said a firm, Drexel’s proposal to conduct an e-recruitment was in national security interest due to allegations of nepotism and job racketeering in the previous exercises.
Halso noted that the prosecution failed to show that the failure to advertise the contract gave undue advantage to the company, Drexel.
However, the judge convicted the former perm-sec for breaching the Public Procurement Act (PPA) and not ensuring that the approval of the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP) was obtained in relation to the contract for the recruitment exercise.
Justice Dimgba adjourned sentencing to April 27 in accordance with the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.
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