Abuja: The Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, former Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation, of alleged money laundering offences, marking the end of a six-year trial.
According to News Agency of Nigeria, Justice James Omotosho ruled in favor of no-case submissions filed by Oyo-Ita and her co-defendants, finding their applications meritorious. Oyo-Ita, her Personal Assistant Ubong Effiok, and seven others faced charges of alleged money laundering amounting to N570 million.
Justice Omotosho criticized the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for basing their case on “speculations, suspicions, and shoddy investigation.” The judge stated that the prosecution’s case lacked the weight necessary to establish money laundering offences, as it failed to present a predicate offence.
The judge further noted that Oyo-Ita was neither a shareholder nor a director in the companies allegedly linked to her. Additionally, the funds allegedly given to the ex-HoS had not been proven as proceeds of illegal activities. Contracts discussed in court were confirmed as duly approved and executed.
According to Justice Omotosho, Oyo-Ita’s failure to fully disclose her assets was not thoroughly investigated, leading to a case doomed to fail. He upheld the no-case submissions, discharging and acquitting all nine defendants of the 18-count charge.
NAN reports that the EFCC filed the charges in February 2020 against Oyo-Ita, Frontline Ace Global Services Ltd, and Asanaya Projects Ltd, among others. The charges related to alleged fraud involving duty tour allowances, conference fees, and kickbacks on contracts.
Oyo-Ita and her co-defendants pleaded not guilty at their arraignment in March 2020. The case shifted to Justice Omotosho after Justice Taiwo Taiwo’s retirement. The EFCC presented eight witnesses and documentary evidence, but the defendants argued that the prosecution failed to establish any offence warranting a defense.
Justice Omotosho explained that a no-case submission arises when insufficient evidence exists for conviction or defense. He emphasized that the prosecution had not proven the funds were linked to unlawful activities and criticized the evidence as speculative.
The judge also rejected the admissibility of confessional statements made by the defendants, citing mandatory legal provisions for obtaining such statements. The defense argued that the statements were not made voluntarily, leading to their exclusion from evidence.
Justice Omotosho’s ruling concludes a prolonged legal battle, clearing Oyo-Ita and her co-defendants of the charges. The case highlights the importance of thorough investigations and credible evidence in criminal trials.