Abuja High Court frees Ochuko Momoh, wife of a former public servant, charged by an anti-corruption agency with laundering N3billion.
The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC) arraigned Mrs Momoh and five others on a 22-count charge on Monday, 9 March 2020.
Judge Taiwo Taiwo ruled that the prosecution failed to prove its case against the defendants beyond a reasonable doubt.
The five others include Blessing Azuka-Agozi, StanbicIBTC Bank Plc, Energopol Nigeria Limited, Blaid Construction Limited and Blaid Farms Limited.
Ochuko is the wife of a former Managing Director of Pipelines and Products Marketing Company, Mr. Haruna Momoh. The anti-corruption agency charged her two companies – Blaid Construction and Blaid Farms – for alleged offences
ICPC alleged that Mrs Ochuko used the two companies to launder N2billion from PPMC. The agency further accused her of refusing to honour their invitation to answer to the allegation.
It further charged Azuka Agozi for failing to provide ICPC’s investigators with documents on huge contracts allegedly executed by Energopol for PPMC.
ICPC charged Stanbic IBTC for failing to report suspicious transactions in Ochuko’s two company accounts to the relevant authorities.
The two women pleaded not guilty to the charges while the court recorded not guilty plea for the four companies.
In his ruling, Judge Taiwo noted yesterday that the ICPC brought a case based on mere speculation and conjecture.
He therefore dismissed the case against Mrs Momoh and the five other defendants.
The judge also reversed an interim forfeiture order hitherto made against Ochuko and her two firms – Blaid Construction and Blaid Farms.
Court frees Ochuko Momoh from money laundering charge by ICPC
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