The Adamawa State High Court, presided over by the Chief Judge, Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman, yesterday discharged and acquitted a retired Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Sheriff Abubakar Rabiu and former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to ex-Governor Murtala Nyako.
Justice Hafsat discharged and acquitted the former CSO to former Governor Nyako on all 5 count charges slammed against him by the prosecution.
The allegations include criminal breach of trust, cheating, falsifying documents and inciting public disturbance.
Justice Hafsat declared that the prosecution woefully failed to prove its case against the defendant beyond reasonable doubt and accordingly discharged and acquitted him.
The Chief Judge held that there was no evidence to prove the commission of crime, saying the prosecution has failed to prove the commission of the offence as required by law.
On the offence of cheating, the judge said the no element of deceit, inducement or fraud as alleged against the defendant, and that the offence of cheating has not been proven and equally discharged him on other offences.
Retired ACP Rabiu was arraigned before the court for allegedly converting two landed properties worth N80 million to himself.
According to the prosecution, the properties, initially purchased under the name of Sebore Farms, were allegedly transferred to his personal ownership and later sold.
Rabiu who had been standing trial since 2021, denied all the allegations leveled against him when he was arraigned before the court by the prosecution.
Reacting to the verdict, Counsel to the defendant, Roland Enem and that of the prosecution, D. I. Kulthu, appreciated the court for the judgement.
Fielding questions from newsmen, Enem thanked the Chief Judge for the diligent research and fair judgment.
The Counsel said his client was arraigned on 5 counts of criminal breach of trust, cheating, falsifying documents and inciting public disturbance and that the court has discharged and acquitted him.
He commended the judge’s thorough analysis and conclusion, describing the judgment as exemplary and reflective of justice.
