Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, yesterday, dismissed the eight-count criminal charge entered against former Minister of Works, Mr Hassan Lawal, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
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Lawal, who was hitherto facing trial alongside one Mr Adewale Adesanya, who was an official of United Bank for Africa, UBA, was alleged to have defrauded the Federal Government to the tune of N43 million while in office.
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The duo were said to have allegedly diverted contract funds to a fake account they opened with the UBA.
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According to the EFCC, part of the looted funds were earmarked for the completion of Buto Bagana Bridge across River Benue as well as erection of street lights from Abuja to Nasarawa State.
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Lawal was said to have awarded the contracts while he was in government, only to allegedly divert funds approved for its completion to a private interest yielding account, with the help of the 2nd accused person.