A High Court in Maitama, Federal Capital Territory has discharged and acquitted former Senate President, Adolphus Wabara and two others of allegations of bribery levelled against them by the Federal Government in 2005.

In its ruling on Monday, the court presided over by Justice S.E Aladetoyinbo said the prosecution lacked witnesses to prosecute Mr Wabara, Ibrahim Abdulazeez and John Mbata.

Justice Aladetoyinbo therefore discharged the three defendants in pursuant to Section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice (ACJA) Act, 2015.

He ruled that following the failure of the prosecutor to produce witnesses, the counsels to the defendants urged the court to discharge and acquit the defendants under Section 355 of the ACJA, 2015.

The section states that: “Where a complainant at any time before a final order is made in a case satisfies the court that there are sufficient grounds for permitting him to withdraw his complaint, the court may permit him to withdraw the complaint and shall thereupon acquit the defendant.”

“Since the prosecutor claimed that the witnesses are no more available and this matter had been pending since 2005, the court will grant the request of defence counsel.

“The three defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted under Section 355 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015,” Justice Aladetoyinbo said.