Court Acquits Ex-minister Turaki Of Money Laundering Charges
A Federal High Court in Abuja has discharged and acquitted the former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-governmental Affairs, , of money laundering charges.
The EFCC alleged that the ex-minister used two companies belonging to his aide to illegally transfer funds.
After the EFCC closed its case, rather than open its defense, the defendants filed a no-case submission.
Delivering a ruling on the no-case submission filed by the defense, Justice Inyang Ekwo said the EFCC failed to link Turaki and his co-defendants with the offenses contained in the 16-count charge.
The presiding judge said the prosecution could not establish a prima facie case against them.
Ekwo said the defendants countered the testimonies of the 12 witnesses called by the prosecution, describing them as “tainted”.
The judge said it was established during cross-examination that Turaki was not a signatory to the account of the ministry and did not authorize any payment or make any transfer of funds.
He agreed with the reasoning that the former minister was not a member of the ministerial tender board and that no monies were transferred from the ministry’s account to Turaki’s firm.