The Supreme Court has overturned a federal court judgement that mandated Melrose General Services Limited to forfeit N1,222,384,857.84 to the federal government.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had secured a judgement for the final forfeiture of N1.5 billion that Melrose General Services Limited obtained from the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) through false claims.
Melrose is allegedly linked to Saraki, whose two aides, Gbenga Makanjuola and Kolawole Shittu, were implicated in the alleged offense.
Dissatisfied with the verdict, the firm filed an appeal at the Supreme Court and, on Friday, a Supreme Court panel led by Justice Akomaye Agim overturned the lower courts’ decisions and ruled in favour of Melrose General Services.
Reacting to the development, Bukola Saraki, a former president of the Senate, praised the Supreme Court’s decision.
Saraki described the case as a “proxy war” that used Melrose “as a mere pawn” to “victimise and persecute” him.
He also alleged that the case was part of a broader effort by the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari to weaponise the legal system for political gain.
“As much as this case was between the EFCC and Melrose General Services Limited, it was a proxy war, with Melrose serving as a mere pawn in a larger scheme to victimise and persecute me. It was always clear that this case was a thinly veiled attempt by the Buhari administration to weaponise the legal system for political gain,” he wrote.
Saraki referred to the allegations of “Paris Club Fraud” as a smokescreen designed to weaken his office and tarnish his reputation through spurious accusations similar to the Code of Conduct Tribunal, which also acquitted him of all charges.
Expressing gratitude for the ruling, Saraki said, “I am profoundly grateful to the Almighty Allah, the ultimate arbiter of justice, for guiding the Supreme Court to this righteous verdict.
“I applaud the judiciary for their meticulous examination of the evidence and adherence to due process, which has ensured that justice prevailed. I also thank Melrose’s legal team for their tireless efforts in bringing this case to a just conclusion.
“Moving forward, we all have to advocate for fairness in the fight against corruption. We should see this verdict as an inspiration to champion the rule of law, promote democracy and its institutions, and tolerate divergent views.”
