In a dramatic turn of events, the Federal High Court in Lagos has delivered a stunning verdict, quashing the N21.5 billion money laundering charges against former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu, and two accomplices. The charges, brought forth by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), alleged conspiracy and conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) for personal use.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, presiding over the case, upheld a crucial preliminary objection, asserting that they lacked jurisdiction to prosecute the defendants due to their status as serving military officers at the time of the alleged offenses.
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In a decisive ruling, Justice Aneke emphasized that the defendants, being officers of the armed forces, should have been subject to trial by a court-martial, rather than civilian court proceedings.
“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,” the judge declared, echoing the defense counsel’s argument.
The decision not only quashed the amended charges against the defendants but also declared the initial investigation into Amosu null and void, dating back to January 30, 2015.