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Bode George, a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) who was earlier jailed for corruption by a Lagos High Court has been acquitted of all charges by a panel of judges at the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
According to the Supreme court judgement a charge of contract splitting was unknown to Nigerian laws, therefore the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had no evidence against George.
The supreme court panel of judges were led by John Afolabi Fabiyi JSC. The pattern of today's quashing of George's conviction is said to be similar to that of a Lagos Court of Appeal ruling which similarly quashed a death sentence conviction of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha's for the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in 1996. George was also represented by the same lawyer,Joseph B Daudu who represented Al-Mustapha.
According to Sahara Reporters, since leaving prison a few years ago, Mr. George had been closely linked to President Jonathan, even sometimes openly bragging that his conviction will be upturned.
Meanwhile, Lawyers in Lagos have reacted to George's acquittal.
Mr Bamidele Aturu, a human rights activist and lawyer said, "I think it is unfortunate and that decision is going to encourage corruption.
Mr Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, described the decision of the apex court as "shocking".
Another lawyer and former lawmaker, Mr Ehiogie West-Idahosa, noted that any judgment of the Supreme Court was final and should be accepted in good faith.
According to the Supreme court judgement a charge of contract splitting was unknown to Nigerian laws, therefore the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had no evidence against George.
The supreme court panel of judges were led by John Afolabi Fabiyi JSC. The pattern of today's quashing of George's conviction is said to be similar to that of a Lagos Court of Appeal ruling which similarly quashed a death sentence conviction of Major Hamza Al-Mustapha's for the murder of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in 1996. George was also represented by the same lawyer,Joseph B Daudu who represented Al-Mustapha.
According to Sahara Reporters, since leaving prison a few years ago, Mr. George had been closely linked to President Jonathan, even sometimes openly bragging that his conviction will be upturned.
Meanwhile, Lawyers in Lagos have reacted to George's acquittal.
Mr Bamidele Aturu, a human rights activist and lawyer said, "I think it is unfortunate and that decision is going to encourage corruption.
Mr Onyekachi Ubani, Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja branch, described the decision of the apex court as "shocking".
Another lawyer and former lawmaker, Mr Ehiogie West-Idahosa, noted that any judgment of the Supreme Court was final and should be accepted in good faith.