The Yola Division of the Court of Appeal on Thursday discharged and acquitted former governor of Adamawa, Mr Bala Ngilari earlier convicted by a Yola High Court.

The Court, presided over by Justice Olayomi Folashade quashed the charge against Ngilari for lack of merit and enough proof of the offences levelled against him by the anti-graft commission.

On March 6, 2017, a Yola High Court sentenced Ngilari, to five years in prison without option of fine after being found guilty of financial fraud.

Ngilari was along with two of his former aides, Mr Andrew Welye and Sunday Lamurde, Secretary to the State Government and Commissioner of Finance under his administration docked by the commission.

However, the Yola High Court, acquitted the two commissioners for lack of enough proof of evidence and sentenced Ngilari.

Counsel to Ngilari, Obed Wadzani said Ngilari was denied fair hearing at the lower court and the charges slammed against him lacked proof. (NAN)