Court Discharges, Acquits Ex-minister, Kabiru Turaki Of Money Laundry
A Federal High Court sitting in Abuja on Monday discharged and acquitted a former Minister of Special Duties and Inter-Governmental Affairs, Kabiru Turaki of money laundering charge.
The Court presided over by Justice Inyang Ekwo, ruled “a no case submission” against the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), saying that the anti-graft agency failed to link Turaki with the offences contained in the 16-counts charge.
Justice Ekwo further ruled that the prosecution failed to establish a prima facie case against Turaki, saying that the defendants dislodged all the evidence of the prosecution witnesses that were called in the matter during cross examination.
The trial judge specifically described the 12 witnesses relied upon by the EFCC as “tainted witnesses.”
He further said that it was established during cross examination that Turaki while serving as Minister was not a signatory to the account of the ministry and did not authorize any payment or make any transfer of funds.
Justice Ekwo therefore aligned the Court with the argument that Turaki was not a member of the Ministerial Tender Board as a minister and that there was no inflow of funds from the account of the ministry to Turaki’s company.
The EFCC had in the 16-counts, accused Turaki and others of unlawful and criminal misappropriation of N715 million.
