2.5bn DSO Project: Court Discharges, Acquits Ex-NBC DG Kawu Modibbo

Justice Folashade Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court, Abuja, has discharged and acquitted a former Director-General of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), Ishaq Kawu Modibbo, and Pinnacle Communications Limited of corruption charges.

The Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had prosecuted them over allegations related to the ₦2.5 billion released to Pinnacle Communications under the Federal Government’s Digital Switch Over (DSO) project.

Delivering judgment on Thursday, Justice Ogunbanjo ruled that the ICPC failed to prove the allegations against the defendants. She stated that the statements and evidence presented by witnesses could not establish any wrongdoing by Modibbo or Pinnacle Communications.

The judge also noted that some witnesses contradicted themselves, and their testimonies lacked documentary evidence linking the defendants to any offense. While some witnesses claimed that former Minister of Information, Lai Mohammed, was misled into approving the ₦2.5 billion payment, they failed to provide supporting documents.

The case, which lasted six years, involved a five-count amended charge against Modibbo and Pinnacle Communications over the fund’s release under Mohammed’s approval for the FG’s DSO project.

With this ruling, the court has cleared both defendants of all charges.