FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA V. ANJA BABA USMAN & ANOR

JOSEPH EYO EKANEM, J.C.A. (Delivering the Leading Judgment): This appeal is against the judgment of the High Court of Justice, Nasarawa State, Lafia Judicial Division (the trial Court) in charge No. NSD/LF74C/2012 delivered on 12/12/2014. In the judgment the trial Court discharged and acquitted the respondents of the charge that they stood trial for having found that the appellant failed to discharge the burden placed on her to prove the charge against the respondents.

The respondents were arraigned at the trial Court on a five-count charge of:

(i) Conspiracy to use their positions as public officers to gratify or confer corrupt advantage upon themselves contrary to Section 26(1)(c) and punishable under Section 19 of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act, 2000;

(ii) Use of office or positions as public officers to gratify or confer corrupt advantage upon themselves by converting the sum of N15, 027,750.00 belonging to Wamba Local Government to their personal use contrary t…