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

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

‘Case Built on Speculation’

Delivering judgment, the court held that the EFCC’s case lacked substance.

“The case presented by the prosecution has no weight whatsoever,” the judge ruled, describing it as one built on “speculations, suspicions and shoddy investigation.”

Justice Omotosho further stated that the prosecution failed to establish the required predicate offences necessary to prove money laundering.

No Evidence of Illegality

The court held that there was no proof that funds allegedly linked to Oyo-Ita were proceeds of unlawful activities.

According to the judge, evidence before the court showed that contracts tied to the allegations were properly approved and executed.

He also ruled that estacodes, duty tour allowances, and air tickets referenced in the case were duly authorised.

“There is no proof before the court that estacodes or duty allowances were approved and subsequently collected without the corresponding trips being undertaken,” he said.

Weak Documentation, Missing Evidence

Justice Omotosho faulted the prosecution for failing to provide key documents, including travel approvals, official memos, and audit queries to support its claims.

“The prosecution has, in effect, invited the court to engage in speculation,” he added.

He also noted that Oyo-Ita was neither a director nor a shareholder in the companies allegedly linked to the transactions under investigation.

Confessional Statements Rejected

The court rejected confessional statements allegedly obtained from the defendants, ruling that they were not obtained in compliance with legal provisions.

The judge held that the EFCC failed to provide video recordings of the statement-taking process as required by law and consequently expunged the statements from evidence.

Background

Oyo-Ita was arraigned in March 2020 over allegations bordering on fraud involving duty tour allowances, estacodes, and contract kickbacks amounting to about N570 million.

During the trial, the EFCC called eight witnesses and tendered documentary exhibits. However, the defendants maintained that the prosecution failed to establish any ingredient of the offences to warrant them entering a defence.

With the ruling, the court discharged and acquitted all defendants on the 18-count charge, bringing the long-running case to a close.

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A prosecution witness on Wednesday gave detailed testimony at the Federal Capital Territory High Court in Maitama, Abuja, describing how over ₦1.6 billion was allegedly moved through multiple cash transactions and proxy accounts on the instructions of former Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) governor, Godwin Emefiele.

The witness, Richard Agulu, appeared before Justice Yusuf Halilu in the ongoing trial over the alleged unlawful acquisition of an estate comprising 753 housing units in Abuja.

Agulu, a former bank official, testified that the funds were not kept in Emefiele’s personal bank account but were allegedly stored in bank vaults and third-party accounts, before being disbursed based on instructions relayed through Emefiele’s former aide, Eric Ocheme.

Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Rotimi Oyedepo, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), the witness said he acted on directives conveyed by Ocheme, whom he described as Emefiele’s personal assistant at the time.

According to the witness, large sums of money were deposited intermittently between 2020 and 2022 into the account of Ifeabigo Integrated Services, a company owned by one of his associates.

He told the court that cash deposits included ₦75 million in February 2021, ₦134.5 million in March, ₦123 million in April, and several other deposits running into hundreds of millions of naira over subsequent months.

Agulu further stated that in July and August 2021 alone, multiple deposits and transfers were made, including two cash lodgements of ₦100 million and ₦70 million, as well as a transfer of ₦99 million.

He added that in August 2021, a total of ₦900 million was transferred in two tranches—₦600 million and ₦300 million—from the Ifeabigo Integrated Services account to MG Properties Limited.

On the same day, another ₦700 million was transferred from Kelvito Integrated Services to the same company, bringing the total amount allegedly moved to MG Properties Limited to ₦1.6 billion.

“I transferred the money based on instructions received from Eric Ocheme on behalf of the defendant,” the witness told the court, adding that he was unaware of the purpose of the transfers.

The witness also recounted additional transactions, including a ₦225 million transfer and several other deposits made toward the end of August 2021, as well as further inflows and withdrawals extending into January 2022.

During cross-examination, Agulu acknowledged that the transactions could only be executed by authorised signatories to the accounts but maintained that he acted strictly on instructions passed through Emefiele’s aide.

Earlier in the proceedings, the court also heard testimony from an Access Bank compliance officer, who confirmed that Emefiele’s name did not appear on documents linked to one of the companies involved, Ace Frozen Foods Ventures.

Emefiele, who served as CBN governor until his removal in 2023, has pleaded not guilty to all eight counts filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The trial judge adjourned the case until February 16, 2026, for continuation of hearing.

The housing fraud case is one of several trials currently facing the former CBN governor in Abuja and Lagos.

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The EFCC made this known through an ex parte motion filed before the Federal High Court in Abuja. The motion, marked FHC/ABJ/177/2024, is part of a non-conviction-based asset forfeiture process.

According to the EFCC, Nwabuoku voluntarily refunded the funds and surrendered the property. The Commission believes the assets were obtained from unlawful activities.

In the motion, EFCC lawyer E. Iheanacho, SAN, asked the court to issue an interim forfeiture order. The order would transfer ownership of the funds and property to the Federal Government of Nigeria.

Several company bank accounts linked to the case were listed. These include:

• Temeeo Synergy Concept Limited – ₦12.5 million

• Turge Global Investment Limited – ₦4.1 million

• Laptev Bridge Limited – ₦682,904

• Arafura Transnational Afro Ltd – ₦51.2 million

• EFCC Recovery Account – ₦220 million (refunded by Nwabuoku)

The EFCC also asked the court to publish the interim order in a national newspaper. This allows any interested parties 14 days to come forward and show cause. If no valid claim is made, the final forfeiture order may be granted.

According to EFCC investigator Chinelo Okpara, the funds in question were linked to the Ministry of Defence. They were originally allocated for internal security operations by the Nigerian Armed Forces.

The investigation revealed that funds were funneled through four companies. The money was then transferred into an account belonging to M Davi Company Enterprises. This account was allegedly used for the personal benefit of Nwabuoku.

Between November 2019 and September 2020, ₦355 million was deposited into that account by various individuals, including one Joseph Gideon. Investigators say Nwabuoku admitted in a written statement that the money belonged to him.

Out of the total funds, ₦64 million was used to purchase a five-bedroom duplex at No. 20 City Gate Estate, Kukwaba, Abuja. Another ₦160 million was reportedly invested in securities and other financial instruments.

Nwabuoku later returned ₦220 million to the EFCC Recovery Account. He also handed over the property and its keys to the Commission.

The EFCC cited Section 17 of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act, 2006. This law allows the court to issue interim forfeiture orders without a criminal conviction if assets are linked to illegal activities.

Although the case was scheduled for mention on July 15, the court did not sit. A new date has been fixed for October 22, 2025.

Meanwhile, a separate case is ongoing. The EFCC is prosecuting Nwabuoku on a nine-count charge of money laundering involving ₦868 million. He has pleaded not guilty to the charges.

Nwabuoku was appointed Acting Accountant-General of the Federation by former President Muhammadu Buhari in May 2022. His appointment came after the suspension of Ahmed Idris, who was also under investigation.

The investigation and recovery efforts continue.

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The judge gave the order during a hearing on a suit filed by Jonah Capital Nigeria Limited, which is contesting the alleged encroachment and control of the estate. The court specifically warned the third and fourth defendants not to interfere with the disputed land until the matter is concluded.

“This court hereby directs that all parties, especially the 3rd and 4th defendants, maintain the status quo pending the final determination of this suit,” the judge ruled. The case was adjourned to October 27 for further hearing.

The court also approved a request by Jonah Capital’s counsel to amend the name of the first defendant to reflect the Registered Trustees of Dunamis International Church, replacing an earlier misidentification.

Outside the courtroom, the claimant’s legal representative explained, “This amendment aligns with legal procedure and ensures that the correct party is named in the dispute.”

Meanwhile, Dunamis Church, listed among the defendants, denied encroaching on any property, stating that the land it occupies was lawfully allocated. “We have not violated any boundary,” the church’s lawyer said. “The court’s order to maintain the status quo has been in place since January, and we are in full compliance.”

The dispute over River Park Estate, a large residential development off Abuja’s Airport Road, has triggered parallel criminal investigations. Police have charged three Ghanaians—Sam Jonah, Kojo Ansah, and Victor Quainoo—alongside Nigerian lawyer Abu Arome and Mobus Property Nigeria Ltd. for allegedly forging documents and unlawfully assuming control of the estate’s managing firms.

According to the charges, the suspects manipulated corporate records to allocate 99 million shares to themselves using falsified documents and forged signatures, aiming to seize over 500 hectares of land.

“The defendants misrepresented themselves as Nigerian citizens and submitted forged documents to the Corporate Affairs Commission,” said prosecution counsel, who emphasized the gravity of the offenses.

The case, which intertwines civil claims and criminal charges, continues to draw attention amid concerns over land fraud and property rights in Nigeria’s capital.

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Justice Obiora Egwuatu gave the ruling on Friday. He also barred other parties in the suit from taking any actions that could interfere with the ongoing legal process.

The judge warned all involved not to take steps that could pre-empt the court’s decision. The case was then adjourned to June 26, 2025, for the next hearing.

The case was filed by Ghanaian investors. They include JonahCapital Ltd, Houses for Africa Ltd, and three individuals: Samuel Esson Jonah, Kojo Ansah Mensah, and Victor Quainoo. Their lawyer, Abu Arome, filed the suit on their behalf.

They asked the court to stop the police, EFCC, and other parties from arresting or intimidating them during the investigation. The investors claimed that their rights were being violated.

The conflict started with multiple petitions regarding ownership of River Park Estate. In response, the IGP created a Special Investigation Panel (SIP) to examine the complaints.

After weeks of investigation, the panel submitted its report to the police leadership. The report was supposed to be reviewed by the legal department to check for any criminal elements.

Despite this, the investors said they received no reply after sending follow-up letters dated March 20 and April 16. Instead, a new investigation allegedly began under DCP Akin Fakorede, head of the IGP Monitoring Unit.

The investors stated that even while the matter was still in court, they were being summoned and harassed. Fakorede allegedly continued to investigate the case, ignoring the findings of the earlier panel.

They also accused the EFCC of arresting and detaining Kojo Ansah Mensah, the CEO of JonahCapital and Houses for Africa Nigeria. He was reportedly held for several days without clear cause.

Due to the situation, the investors petitioned the Police Service Commission, led by Hashimu Argungu. They also wrote to the Attorney-General of the Federation, Lateef Fagbemi, SAN. Both were asked to intervene in what the investors called abuse of power.

The plaintiffs are asking the court for a perpetual injunction. This would stop the police and EFCC from arresting, inviting, harassing, or detaining them.

They argue that the investigation is based on agreements signed years ago on June 1, 2012, and July 13, 2012 which have already been addressed.

They also want the SIP investigation report to be released. The panel was led by DCP Usman Ahmed Imam from the Force Criminal Investigation Department.

In addition, the investors are demanding ₦200 million in damages for alleged violations of their rights.

The matter will be heard again on June 26, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

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