A Federal High Court in Abuja has cleared former Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, of allegations involving fraud and money laundering totaling N570 million.
The judgment, delivered on Tuesday by Justice James Omotosho, brought to an end a legal battle that lasted six years.
The court upheld the no-case submissions filed by Oyo-Ita and the other defendants, ruling that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to establish sufficient evidence to warrant further defence.
Oyo-Ita, her personal assistant, and seven others had been standing trial on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged financial misconduct and money laundering.
In his ruling, Justice Omotosho criticised the prosecution’s case, describing it as weak and lacking credible evidence.
According to the judge, the allegations were based largely on “speculation, suspicion, and poor investigation,” adding that the prosecution failed to prove the essential ingredients of money laundering.
He stated that there was no evidence showing that Oyo-Ita owned or controlled the companies linked to the alleged fraud. Witnesses presented by the prosecution reportedly confirmed that she was neither a director nor shareholder in the firms mentioned during the trial.
The court also held that the EFCC failed to prove that the funds traced to the former Head of Service were proceeds of illegal activities.
Justice Omotosho further dismissed claims concerning estacodes and duty tour allowances, noting that the payments in question were properly approved and that Oyo-Ita was not responsible for authorising them.
The judge also faulted the prosecution for failing to provide documents such as travel approvals, official memos, or records supporting allegations of irregular travel payments.
He noted that no evidence was presented to show that Oyo-Ita was ever queried or subjected to disciplinary action over the transactions during her time in office.
The court equally rejected alleged confessional statements obtained from some of the defendants, ruling that they did not comply with legal procedures guiding the taking of such statements.
Following the ruling, the court discharged and acquitted all nine defendants, officially bringing the long-running case, which started in 2020, to a close.
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