A Federal High Court in Abuja has acquitted a woman, Isabella Mimie Oshodin, of alleged N22.9 billion money laundering in a case linked to former National Security Adviser Sambo Dasuki.
Gatekeepers News reports that the trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, discharged and acquitted Oshodin alongside her company after ruling that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond reasonable doubt.
Oshodin and her firm, Bob Oshodin Organisation Ltd, had been standing trial on a 25-count charge filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission over funds allegedly traced to the office of the former NSA.
During the trial, the prosecution claimed the funds were part of незаконно obtained money linked to Dasuki. However, the court held that the evidence presented was largely speculative and insufficient to establish the offences.
The judge also ruled that some key statements relied upon by the prosecution were inadmissible under the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, further weakening the case.
A major factor in the court’s decision was the absence of testimony from Dasuki himself, which the court noted significantly affected the strength of the prosecution’s claims.
In her defence, Oshodin maintained that the funds were proceeds from legitimate business transactions, including contracts and youth training programmes. She also told the court that she refunded N180 million to the government following inquiries by EFCC.
Following the ruling, all defendants were cleared of the charges, bringing an end to a case that has been in court for several years.
