At the Federal High Court, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) presented its eighth witness, Hamma-Adama Bello, who testified that former Head of Service, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, and others awarded contracts to companies they either incorporated or had stakes in. Oyo-Ita and her co-defendants are facing trial over allegations of fraud amounting to N3 billion related to duty tour allowance, estacodes, conference fees, and kickbacks on contracts.
Oyo-Ita, along with her Special Assistant, Ubong Effiok, Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, Garba Umar, Slopes International Ltd, Good Deal Investments Ltd, U&U Global Services Ltd (belonging to Mr. Effiok), and Prince Mega Logistics Ltd, had pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Chief Superintendent of EFCC and Head of the Special Investigation Team, Hamma-Adama Bello, testified that his team received intelligence in 2019 suggesting that Oyo-Ita, while serving as a permanent secretary, and others were using their positions to secure contracts for companies in which they had interests. The investigation, as a result, focused on analyzing documents related to this intelligence.
Bello stated that during the investigation, it was discovered that Oyo-Ita was the beneficial owner of two companies: Frontline Ace Global Services Limited and Asanaya Projects Ltd. The witness also revealed that Oyo-Ita maintained two accounts for Frontline Ace Global Services Limited in a new generation bank. Additionally, Bello noted that Oyo-Ita had served as the chairman and CEO of Frontline Ace Global Services Ltd, issuing resolutions to open the accounts.
The presiding judge, Justice James Omotosho, adjourned the trial until January 26 for further proceedings.
