Former Kogi State College of Education bursar, Dr Usman Mohammed, accused of embezzling N88 million belonging to the institution, has been discharged and acquitted by a High Court in Lokoja. Alongside Mr John Amobeda, the defendants were facing trial on six counts including criminal breach of trust, cheating, forgery, and criminal misappropriation. The court held that in criminal trials, the burden is on the prosecution to prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt, which the prosecution failed to do in this case.
The judgement comes as a relief to Dr Mohammed, who had been facing the allegations for a while. The court’s decision to acquit and discharge him implies that he is innocent of the charges and was falsely accused. The case had generated a lot of public interest, and the verdict has put to rest any doubts about the innocence of the accused.
Cases of embezzlement have become rampant in Nigeria, with many public officials misappropriating funds meant for the development of the country. The court’s decision to discharge and acquit Dr Mohammed shows that justice can still be served in Nigeria’s justice system if the prosecution can provide enough evidence to prove a case beyond reasonable doubt.
The court’s verdict also underscores the importance of the rule of law and the need for fair trials. The judgment shows that justice can only be served when the law takes its natural course, and the rights of the accused are protected. The court has provided a good example to other courts in Nigeria to follow the rule of law and ensure that justice is served.
The discharge and acquittal of Dr Usman Mohammed by the High Court in Lokoja, Kogi State, demonstrates the importance of the rule of law and the need for fair trials. The judgement shows that justice can only be served when the law takes its natural course, and the rights of the accused are protected. This verdict provides hope that the justice system in Nigeria can still work if the prosecution can prove its case beyond a reasonable doubt. The court’s decision is also a reminder that those who are innocent until proven guilty should not be subjected to public ridicule or be denied their rights to a fair trial