Convicted ex-Dangote staff acquitted

A Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos has discharged and acquitted a former staff of Dangote Oil Refinery, Matina Amosu who was convicted for stealing the sum N3 million by a Lagos High Court. 

The three-man panel led by Justice Gabriel Kolawole in a unanimous decision set aside the judgment delivered Justice Mojisola Dada on May 3, 2019.

The lower court had found Amosu guilty of two out of 23 counts charge brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and was sentenced to seven years imprisonments.

She was alleged of stealing various sum of monies, belonging to Dangote Oil Refineries Limited but was discharged on counts 1, 3 to 23 but convicted on count 2 and sentenced to a term of seven years imprisonment.

Justice Dada had convicted the appellant on offence of stealing contrary to section 285(8) Criminal Law of Lagos State, 2011. 

Dissatisfied, Amosu filed appeal against the judgment but the counsel to the commission failed to file any respondent’s brief before the Appeal Court despite several adjournments.

The Court of Appeal eventually considered the appellant’s brief alone despite the appearance of the EFCC’s counsel at the hearing of the appeal, discharged and acquitted her. 

Justice Lawal Garba, Hello Aliyu concurred with the lead judgment.