The Federal Capital Territory High Court sitting in Gwagwalada has granted a N50 million bail to a former Minister of Justice and Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke. Mr Adoke is accused of fraud on the controversial Malabu Oil scam by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission which he denied the charge. Justice Idris Kutigi who gave the ruling also ordered Mr Adoke to provide one surety who must be resident in Abuja and who must have a landed property in the capital territory. The second defendant, Abubakar Aliyu, also got bail on the same condition, while the third defendant, Rasky Gbinigie, was granted N10 million bail. Mr Gbinigie was asked to sign an undertaking not to interfere with the trial or further investigation by the EFCC. The charges against Mr Adoke include those related to money laundering, denying Nigeria taxes and an alleged N300 million bribe. The EFCC also accused the former Attorney General of accepting gratification to facilitate the OPL 245 oil agreement with Shell, Eni, and their Nigerian subsidiaries. Justice Abubakar Idris had earlier on January 23, 2020, ordered the remand of the three defendants in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission after they pleaded not guilty to the 42 counts preferred against them by the commission
