KEY POINTS

• Justice James Omotosho delivered a money laundering acquittal for Isabella Oshodin and Bob Oshodin Organisation Limited, finding the prosecution failed to establish the essential elements of the 15-count charge
• The court ruled Mrs. Oshodin’s key statements inadmissible because investigators neither electronically recorded them nor took them in the presence of her counsel, violating the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015
• Oshodin testified that payments covered legitimate business activities, including a furniture company sale and youth training programs, and that she refunded N180 million to the government following EFCC inquiries

A Federal High Court in Abuja has delivered a money laundering acquittal for businesswoman Isabella Oshodin and Bob Oshodin Organisation Limited. Justice James Omotosho held that the prosecution failed to prove the allegations beyond a reasonable doubt, finding that the prosecution established none of the essential elements of the 15-count charge.

The defendants faced 15 counts including conspiracy to commit money laundering, transferring large sums allegedly derived from unlawful acts and possession of funds linked to criminal breach of trust. The prosecution also alleged some of the funds financed property purchases in the United States.

Key statements ruled inadmissible, testimony gap weakened prosecution

Justice Omotosho noted that the prosecution failed to provide sufficient evidence of the defendants’ knowledge or intent regarding any unlawful activities.

Additionally, the court ruled Mrs. Oshodin’s key statements inadmissible because investigators neither electronically recorded them nor took them in the presence of her legal counsel, in violation of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015.

The absence of Col. Dasuki’s testimony also weakened the prosecution’s case, and the court found no concrete documents showing any transfer of funds to foreign accounts or property acquisition.

Oshodin cited refund and legitimate business dealings in her defense

During trial, Oshodin testified that her husband Robert was ill and living in the United States, and that she became involved only after a consultant contacted her. She maintained all payments covered legitimate business activities, including the sale of the family’s furniture manufacturing company and youth training programs in the Niger Delta and South-South.

Furthermore, she said she refunded N180 million to the government following EFCC inquiries and stressed that the company’s dealings were with the Presidential Amnesty Office. The money laundering acquittal followed arguments by defense counsel Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) and Olajide Kumuyi, who contended the prosecution never established the source of the funds as illicit.