Court faults EFCC, acquits Oyo-Ita, others in N570m fraud trial

The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, acquitted Winifred Oyo-Ita, former Head of Service of the Federation, and eight others of alleged N570 million fraud, faulting the investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission and bringing an end to a six-year trial.

In a ruling, Justice James Omotosho upheld no-case submissions filed by the defendants, holding that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case to warrant a defence.

The EFCC had charged Oyo-Ita, her personal assistant Ubong Effiok, and seven others with money laundering and related offences involving N570 million.

The defendants, however, pleaded not guilty.

Omotosho held that the prosecution’s case was “built on speculation, suspicion and inadequate investigation,” adding that it failed to establish key elements of money laundering, particularly the existence of a predicate offence.

“The case presented by the prosecution has no weight whatsoever,” the judge said, noting that no credible evidence linked the funds in question to unlawful activity.

The court also found that Oyo-Ita was neither a director nor shareholder in the companies allegedly used in the transactions, weakening claims that she exercised control over the accounts.

On allegations bordering on estacodes, duty tour allowances and travel expenses, the judge said the prosecution failed to tender documentary evidence to show that payments were unlawfully obtained or that official trips were not undertaken.

He further noted the absence of administrative queries or sanctions that would typically arise under civil service procedures in such circumstances.

Omotosho described the gaps in the prosecution’s case as “fatal,” stressing that criminal liability cannot be established on conjecture.

Consequently, the court discharged and acquitted all nine defendants on the 18-count charge.

The charges, filed in February 2020, also listed corporate entities including Frontline Ace Global Services Ltd and Asanaya Projects Ltd, alongside individuals such as Garba Umar.

During the trial, the EFCC called eight witnesses and tendered documentary evidence.

However, the defence argued that the prosecution failed to establish any direct link between the defendants and the alleged незакон proceeds or prove the essential ingredients of the offences.

In a related decision, the court expunged confessional statements tendered by the prosecution, holding that they were obtained in breach of provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, which mandates video recording of such statements.

Oyo-Ita was removed from office in September 2019 by former President Muhammadu Buhari following corruption allegations.