Court Throws Out N21.5bn Money Laundering Case Against Former Air Chief, Amosun

Court Throws Out N21.5bn Money Laundering Case Against Former Air Chief, Amosun

In a stunning legal development, the Federal High Court in Lagos delivered a decisive blow to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Tuesday, as it quashed the N21.5 billion money laundering charges leveled against former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosun, and two other co-defendants….Read more related story here Edo APC Chieftain Fires Back At Amosun Over Attack On Adams Oshiomhole 

The EFCC had initiated legal proceedings against Amosun, along with former Nigeria Air Force Chief of Accounts and Budgeting, Air Vice Marshal Jacob Adigun, and former Director of Finance and Budget, Air Commodore Gbadebo Olugbenga, on June 29, 2016, alleging their involvement in a 26-count charge.

However, the defendants faced re-arraignment before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke on a reduced 13-count amended charge, which focused on money laundering allegations amounting to N21.5 billion, purportedly diverted from the Nigerian Air Force for personal gain.

In a landmark ruling on Tuesday, Justice Aneke upheld the defendants’ application seeking to dismiss the charges, citing a jurisdictional challenge. The court determined that as serving military officers at the time of the alleged offenses, the defendants fell under the jurisdiction of a court-martial rather than civilian courts.

The defense counsel argued convincingly that the defendants’ military status warranted investigation and trial by the armed forces, rather than prosecution before a civilian court.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Aneke emphasized, “As officers of the armed forces, they ought to have been first investigated by the armed forces and tried rather than charging them before this court.”

Consequently, the court declared the January 30, 2015 investigation of Amosun null and void, and subsequently quashed the amended charges against all defendants.

This ruling marks a significant victory for the defendants and underscores the importance of legal jurisdiction and due process in matters involving military personnel.

Further details of the court’s decision are expected to emerge in due course, heralding a potential turning point in this high-profile legal saga.