Court clears ex-minister Turaki of money laundering charge
On Monday, the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court discharged and acquitted former Minister of Special Duties and Intergovernmental Affairs Kabiru Turaki of money laundering charges.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, in a ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defence, said the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) failed to link Mr Turaki and his co-defendants with its 16-count charge.
He said the prosecution could not establish a prima facie case against them.
Mr Ekwo added that the defendants dislodged all the evidence of the prosecution witnesses called in the matter during cross-examination, describing the 12 witnesses relied on by EFCC as “tainted witnesses.”
The judge explained that it was established during cross-examination that Mr Turaki was not a signatory to the ministry’s account and did not authorise any payment or transfer of funds.
He aligned with the argument that the former minister was not a member of the Ministerial Tender Board and that there was no inflow of funds from the ministry’s account to Mr Turaki’s company.
The EFCC had, in the 16-count charge, accused the ex-minister and others of unlawful and criminal misappropriation of N715 million.
(NAN)
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