The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama has dismissed the case against Grace Taiga, the former Director of Legal at the Ministry of Petroleum Resources, News About Nigeria reports.
Taiga had been facing bribery charges related to the controversial Gas Supply Processing Agreement between Process and Industrial Development (P&ID) and the Federal Government.
The court’s decision comes following the untimely demise of Taiga.
Taiga was initially arraigned on September 20, 2019, in connection with the case marked FCT/HC/CR/504/19.
Subsequently, there were amendments to the charges, leading to re-arraignments on October 3, 2020, and January 10, 2021.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) accused Taiga of receiving bribes through her offshore bank account in connection with the Gas Supply Processing Agreement.
The charges allege that Taiga violated various laws by agreeing without obtaining the required approvals, including those from the Federal Executive Council and the Bureau of Public Enterprise.
After the EFCC closed its case on February 27, 2023, Taiga’s lawyer informed the court on November 4, 2023, that she had passed away on August 1, 2023.
The court had adjourned to ascertain the authenticity of her death.
During the latest court proceedings on Wednesday, Taiga’s lawyer presented the Certified True Copy of her death certificate, confirming the date of her death.
The letter was titled, “Hospital Death Declaration”, from Primus International Super Speciality Hospital, Karu New Extension, Abuja.
The EFCC, having reviewed the certificate, urged the court to strike out the case against the deceased.
Justice Olukayode Adeniyi subsequently ruled, “The defendant’s counsel, having produced the death certificate in the case against the defendant, is hereby struck out.”
