Emmanuel OchayiIn a turn of events at the Federal High Court in Lagos, the long-standing money laundering charges against former Chief of Air Staff, Adesola Amosu, and his colleagues have been quashed.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke delivered the verdict on Tuesday, marking a shift in the legal battle that has lingered since June 2016.
Speaking outside the courtroom, Amosu expressed his relief, stating, “This ruling reaffirms my belief in the judicial system. We have maintained our innocence from the start, and today, justice has prevailed.”
The charges, which amounted to a staggering N21.5 billion, alleged conspiracy and conversion of funds belonging to the Nigerian Air Force for personal gain.
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However, the defendants, including 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, contested the jurisdiction of the court.
In a pivotal moment, Justice Aneke upheld the preliminary objection, citing the defendants’ status as serving military officers at the time of the alleged offenses. “They ought to have been first investigated by the armed forces and tried rather than charging them before this court,” he declared.
The ruling nullified the investigation dated January 30, 2015, and quashed the amended charges against the defendants, marking a significant victory in their legal battle.
The EFCC, which had pursued the case vigorously, is yet to respond to the ruling. However, this development raises questions about the jurisdictional boundaries between civilian courts and military tribunals in cases involving serving officers.
As the legal saga unfolds, one thing remains clear: the exoneration of these former Air Force chiefs marks a turning point in their fight for justice.
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