How Former Head Of Service, Oyo-Ita, Others Diverted N3billion To Private Companies — Witness Tells Court
The trial of Winifred Oyo-Ita, former Head of Service of the Federation, involves allegations of diverting public funds totaling over N3 billion to private companies. Alongside Oyo-Ita, her special assistants Ugbong Effiok and Garba Umar, as well as six companies, are facing charges related to misappropriation, corruption, money laundering, and diversion of funds.
Hamma Bello, the eighth prosecution witness, testified before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, detailing how the defendants allegedly funneled public funds into their personal enterprises. Bello explained that Oyo-Ita utilized Slopes International Limited and Good Deal Investments Limited, among other companies, to award government contracts to herself via Umar, the fourth defendant.
The investigation uncovered transactions involving substantial sums, such as the payment of N42,748,201.47 into the Zenith Bank account of Good Deal Investment Limited in February 2019. Umar’s involvement in incorporating these companies was highlighted during the proceedings, with evidence suggesting he received payments from the Ministry of Power, Works, and Housing, where he was employed, and admitted to paying Oyo-Ita from these proceeds.
Additionally, a transfer of N20,2027,142 was traced to the Zenith Bank account of Asanaya Projects Limited on April 27, 2019, with Effiok’s signature and photo appearing on the account’s mandate card. Further investigation revealed that Effiok incorporated Asanaya Projects Limited with Oyo-Ita’s knowledge, and approvals were granted for payments to be made to him, either personally or to the company.
U and U Global Services Limited, another company linked to Effiok, received numerous payments between 2015 and 2018, including from the federal government. The witness detailed payments received by Prince Mega Logistics Ltd, which indicated involvement by Thomson Titus Okure, a former colleague of Effiok in the Account Department, with Effiok being the sole signatory of the account.
Bello also mentioned that interviews were conducted with the defendants, during which evidence from Oyo-Ita’s phone revealed conversations with contractors, subordinates, and permanent secretaries. Oyo-Ita voluntarily provided a statement to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) during these interviews.
The trial has been adjourned until April 30, 2024, with the prosecution presenting detailed evidence to support the charges against the defendants.
