by Oke Efagene

Former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nasir El-Rufai, has been cleared by an Abuja High court over charges of abuse of power.

The verdict exonerating the former minister of criminal charges  was given by the court today.

El-Rufai has been on trial since 2008.

Vanguard reports:

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.

Speaking on the outcome of the case, the former minister said he holds no grudges against his ‘adversaries’.

“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.”