A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted former Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, of alleged N570 million fraud and money laundering charges, bringing an end to a trial that lasted six years.
Gatekeepers News reports that in a ruling delivered on Tuesday, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, upheld separate no-case submissions filed by Oyo-Ita and her co-defendants.
Oyo-Ita, alongside her personal assistant, Ubong Effiok, and seven others, had been standing trial on an 18-count charge bordering on alleged fraud and money laundering.
Delivering judgment, Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case, describing the case brought by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) as one “built on the quicksand of speculations, suspicions and shoddy investigation”.
“I must say here that the case presented by the prosecution has no weight whatsoever,” the judge said.
He further noted that “crucial elements of money laundering offences”, particularly proof of a predicate offence, were “glaringly absent”.
The court found that Oyo-Ita was neither a director nor shareholder in the companies allegedly linked to her, with prosecution witnesses admitting this under cross-examination.
On funds allegedly traced to her, the judge ruled that the EFCC failed to establish that they were proceeds of unlawful activity.
“The prosecution did not provide any shred of evidence to show that the monies are tainted with illegality,” Omotosho said.
Addressing claims related to estacodes, duty tour allowances (DTAs), and travel expenses, the court held that the payments were duly approved and that Oyo-Ita was not the approving authority.
Omotosho also criticised the prosecution for failing to provide documentary proof of alleged unperformed trips or improper payments.
“There are no memos, travel authorisations, or official records identifying the specific trips allegedly approved,” he said, adding that the court was being invited to “engage in speculation”.
The judge further observed that no administrative query or disciplinary action was shown to have been issued against Oyo-Ita, describing this as a significant omission.
On asset declaration allegations, the court held that the claims were not properly investigated, further weakening the case.
“The cumulative effect of these evidentiary gaps is fatal to the prosecution’s case,” he said.
Omotosho also rejected several confessional statements attributed to some defendants, ruling that they were obtained in violation of statutory provisions requiring video recording and legal representation.
“Accordingly, the 1st–9th defendants are hereby discharged and acquitted of the 18-count charge,” he ruled.
The EFCC had filed the charges on February 28, 2020, accusing the defendants of fraud involving DTAs, estacodes, conference fees, and alleged kickbacks.
Oyo-Ita and the other defendants were first arraigned on March 23, 2020, before former judge Taiwo Taiwo, where they pleaded not guilty. Following his retirement, the case was reassigned to Omotosho.
The prosecution called eight witnesses before closing its case, after which the defendants filed no-case submissions, arguing that no credible evidence had been presented to warrant a defence.
