JUST IN: Court Voids N21bn Money Laundering Charge Against Ex-Air Chief, Amosun

The Federal High Court in Lagos has dismissed the N21.5 billion in money laundering charges leveled against former Chief of Air Staff Adesola Amosun and two others by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Initially arraigned on June 29, 2016, 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, faced a 26-count charge.

However, they were re-arraigned before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke under a 13-count amended charge marked FHC/L/280C/16, centered on money laundering totaling N21.5bn, allegedly involving the defendants in conspiracy and conversion of funds belonging to the NAF for personal use.

Following an application from the defendants to quash the charges, Justice Aneke upheld their plea, citing a preliminary objection challenging the court’s jurisdiction.

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The objection argued that since the defendants were serving military officers during the alleged offenses, they should be subject to trial by a court-martial, not a civilian court.

The judge held, “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.”

He nullified the investigation of Amosun on January 30, 2015. Additionally, Justice Aneke dismissed the amended charges against the defendants.