Obasanjo’s In-Law Sentenced To Seven Years Imprisonment

By G9ija

Dr. John Abebe, the brother-in-law of Nigeria’s ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, has been sentenced to seven years in prison for money laundering and forgery.

The ruling was handed down on Saturday by Justice Mojisola Dada of the Ikeja Special Offences Court with the option of paying a fine of N50 million within 30 days in lieu of imprisonment.

Dr. John Abebe, who is the younger brother of the late former First Lady Stella Obasanjo, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in court on charges of forgery.

During the trial, the EFCC presented evidence that Dr. John Abebe had “knowingly forged” a letter from BP Exploration Nigeria Limited to Inducon Limited, dated November 30, 1995.

Based on the evidence presented, the trial judge concluded that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt, and subsequently convicted Dr. Abebe.

On July 26, 2018, Dr. John Abebe, was first arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on four counts related to forgery, fabricating evidence, using fabricated evidence, and attempting to pervert the course of justice.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Dr. John Warimeme Abebe, on or about the 22nd day of June, 2010 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly forged BP Exploration Nigeria Limited’s letter dated 30th November, 1995 to Inducon (Nigeria) Limited by inserting in page 2 of the said letter the following words:

“Also note that the ‘Buy-Out Option’ only applies to the pre-production stage of the NPIA. The $4m buy-out is thus irrelevant from production of oil in any of our fields” and purported same to have been issued by BP Exploration Nigeria Limited and committed an offence contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.”

Another count reads: “That you, Dr. John Warimeme Abebe, on or about the 22nd day of June, 2010 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly used a fabricated evidence in Suit No. FHC/L/CS/224/2010 between Dr. John Abebe, Inducon Nigeria Limited and Statoil Nigeria Limited, before the Federal High Court, which evidence was admitted and marked exhibit BB in the said suit and committed an offence contrary to Section 120 (2) of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.”

Abebe however pleaded not guilty to the charges preferred against him.