A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted Winifred Oyo-Ita, former Head of Service of the Federation, of alleged N570 million fraud and money laundering charges.

Delivering judgment on Tuesday, the presiding judge, James Omotosho, upheld separate no-case submissions filed by Oyo-Ita and her co-defendants, ruling that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case.

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.

In his ruling, Omotosho described the case instituted 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 held.

He noted that crucial elements of the alleged offences, particularly the establishment of a predicate offence, were not proven. The court further found that Oyo-Ita was neither a director nor shareholder in the companies linked to the allegations, a fact confirmed by prosecution witnesses under cross-examination.

On the funds allegedly traced to her, the court held that the EFCC failed to prove 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.

The judge also ruled that payments relating to estacodes, duty tour allowances (DTAs), and travel expenses were duly approved, stressing that Oyo-Ita was not the approving authority. He faulted the absence of documentary evidence to support claims of unperformed trips or irregular payments.

“There are no memos, travel authorisations, or official records identifying the specific trips allegedly approved,” he said, adding that the court could not engage in speculation.

Omotosho further observed that no administrative query or disciplinary action was issued against the former HoS, describing the omission as significant.

On asset declaration allegations, the court held that they were not properly investigated, weakening the prosecution’s case.

The judge also rejected several confessional statements, ruling they were obtained in violation of statutory provisions requiring video recording and legal representation.

Consequently, the court upheld the no-case submissions.

“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. The trial began on March 23, 2020, before a former judge, Taiwo Taiwo, before it was later reassigned to Omotosho following his retirement.