by Seyi Lawal

An Abuja High Court has ruled today that former House of Representatives Speaker Dimeji Bankole and his deputy Usman Bayero Nafada have no case to answer over a long-running N40bn loan matter – accompanied by a 17-count charge.

The court ruled on a “no-case-submission” before it by Messrs Bankole and Nafada. According to Justice Belgore, there was no theft. He ruled that it was a loan that has been liquidated as it was budgeted for; he also added that it wasn’t a case of salary or allowance increase but one of running cost.

The judgement lasted three hours – and the judge criticised the case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, led by Festus Keyamo.

Editor’s Note: You might also want to see these interesting comments from the Linda Ikeji blog – where readers had predicted this outcome. Spooky?