The Federal High Court in Abuja, on Tuesday, discharged and acquitted former Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, of N570 million money laundering charges filed against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

The trial judge, Justice James Omotosho, upheld the no-case submissions filed by Oyo-Ita and eight co-defendants, holding that the EFCC failed to establish a prima facie case against them after about six years of trial.

Justice Omotosho described the Commission’s case as one built on the quicksand of speculations, suspicions and shoddy investigation.

According to him, evidence before the court showed that contracts linked to the allegations were duly approved and executed.

He also held that estacodes, duty tour allowances and air tickets allegedly received by Oyo-Ita were properly approved.

He faulted the prosecution for failing to tender travel approvals, official memos, audit queries or other documentary evidence to support its allegations.

The prosecution has, in effect, invited the court to engage in speculation.

Justice Omotosho further held that Oyo-Ita was neither a director nor shareholder in the companies allegedly linked to the transactions under investigation.

He subsequently upheld the no-case submissions filed by all the defendants and discharged and acquitted them on the 18-count charge.

The EFCC had arraigned Oyo-Ita and others in March 2020 over allegations relating to fraud involving duty tour allowances, estacodes and contract kickbacks amounting to about N570m.

Justice Omotosho also rejected confessional statements allegedly obtained from Oyo-Ita and some co-defendants, ruling that they were not obtained in compliance with provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

He held that the prosecution failed to produce video recordings of the statement-taking sessions as required by law and consequently expunged the statements from evidence.

Oyo-Ita was removed from office by the administration of late President Muhammadu Buhari in September 2019, amid corruption allegations.