Court Discharges Wife of Jonathan's Cousin, Stella Aziboala of Criminal Charges

*Orders husband, company to respond to two of the charges

Mrs Stella Aziboala, wife to a cousin of former President Goodluck Jonathan, was on Thursday discharged of all the nine count charges leveled against her, by the federal government.

Her husband, Robert Aziboala was however not as lucky as the the Federal High Court, Abuja trying them over corruption allegations ordered that he open his defence in two of the 9 count charge.

Trial judge, Justice Nnamdi Dimgba, in discharging Stella, in respect of counts 2 and 3, held that, "Just because Mr. Azibola is a spouse of the 2nd defendant, is not enough to charge her. Criminal liability is personal; it is not vicarious".

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission had in 2016, preferred a 7-count charge against Aziboala, his wife,  Stella and their company,  One Plus Holding Ltd, over an allegation that they received $40m contract from the embattled former National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki.

The prosecution closed its case, after calling 10 witnesses who testified against the defendants.

But the defendants, responding through their counsel Chris Uche, SAN filed a no-case-submission,  insisting that the FG had failed to establish a prima-facie case that would warrant them to enter defence.

Justice Dimgba, ruling on the no-case-submission, yesterday, held that Aziboala (1st defendant)  and his company, One Plus Holding Ltd (3rd defendant) have explanation to make in respect of counts 2 and 3 and subsequently ordered them to respond to the charges.

In count 2 and 3, Robert Aziboala and his company,  One Plus Holding Ltd were accused of being in possession and conversion of the sum of $40m received from Office of the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki into personal use.

It was claimed that the $40m Dollars released from the Office of the former NSA to Aziboala and One Plus Holding Ltd was meant for the procurement of tactical communication kits.

"By the exhibits, the sum of $40m was sent to the 3rd defendant purportedly for the supply of tactical communication kits for Special Forces on the instruction of former NSA, Col Sambo Dasuki.

"But there was no evidence that any such thing was supplied even though there were some suggestions in exhibits that the sum was for some other security assignments.

"In the absence of any evidence for the supply of the tactical communication kits, the consideration for the transfer of the $40m needs to be established.

"I do not therefore believe that the no-case-submission should succeed in relation to these counts.

"However, appraising the evidence adduced in respect of count two and three, I am of the view that the evidence can only support a prima facie case against the 1st and 3rd defendants.

"On the whole, there is sufficient prima-facie case made out by the prosecution against the 1st and 3rd defendants. The no-case-submission in respect of these two counts is refused, the court held.

Justice Dimgba, however, absolved Robert and his company of any wrongdoing in counts 1,4,5,6,7,8, and 9.