Court Frees Former FCT Minister Elrufai In Abuja Land Grab Case

An Abuja High court has freed former minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nasir El-Rufai, of charges of abuse of power.
The court gave its discharge verdict Friday morning, exonerating Mr. El-rufai of criminal charges.
The former FCT minister, now a leading member of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC, was charged under the Corrupt and Other Related Offences Act, 2000 for using his position to corruptly revoke a plot of land from its previous owners – Power Holding Company of Nigeria Plc – and re-award same to his wife, Hadiza Ahmed El-Rufai.


Vindicated, but no grudges
Reacting swiftly to the news of his acquittal, the former minister said he holds no grudges against his ‘persecutors’.
“It is a vindication he never doubted will come, confident in his innocence and the integrity with which he served this country,” Muyiwa Adekeye, his spokesperson said.
“Despite the magnitude of the pains he has endured, El Rufai has decided to put all this in the past. He intends to move on, stepping confidently into the future with forgiveness and goodwill, devoid of the cobwebs of grudge.”
Mr. El-Rufai has been on trial since 2008.