N570m fraud: Court discharges ex-HoS Oyo-Ita after 6-year trial

The Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Tuesday discharged and acquitted the former Head of Service (HoS) of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, of alleged money laundering offences, six years after the trial began.

Justice James Omotosho, in a ruling on the separate no-case submissions filed by Oyo-Ita and her co-defendants, held that their applications were meritorious.

The former HoS, her Personal Assistant, Ubong Effiok, and seven others had been facing alleged money laundering charge to the tune of N570 million.

Justice Omotosho, in the ruling, held that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission’s (EFCC) case “was built on the quicksand of speculations, suspicions and shoddy investigation.”

The judge said: “I must say here that the case presented by the prosecution has no weight whatsoever.

“Crucial elements of money laundering offences which are the establishment of a predicate offence were glaringly absent in this case presented by the prosecution.”

N8bn fraud: Court sends ex-Skye Bank Chairman Ayeni to Kuje prison

Justice Omotosho held that Oyo-Ita, the first defendant in the 18-count charge, was not a shareholder or director at the companies allegedly linked to her.

Justice Omotosho also held that the funds allegedly given to the former HoS by the third and fifth prosecution witnesses had not been shown to be proceeds of illegal activity.

The EFCC had, on February 28, 2020, filed the charges against Oyo-Ita, Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, and Asanaya Projects Limited.

The anti-graft agency also named Garba Umar, Slopes International Limited, Gooddeal Investments Limited, Ubong Okon Effiok, and U & U Global Services Limited as defendants.

The defendants were prosecuted for alleged fraud in relation to DTAs, Estacodes, conference fees fraud, and receiving kick-backs on contracts to the tune of N570 million.