FG Docks Ex-HoSF, Oyo-Ita, Eight Others over Alleged N462M Fraud

By Yemi Oyeyemi, Abuja
The federal government on Monday docked a former Head of Service of the Federation (HoSF), Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita and eight others before a Federal High Court, Abuja on charges of corruption and money laundering to the tune of over N462M
Oyo-Ita was arraigned on an 18 count charge along with Garba Umar and Ubong Effiok as well as six other companies linked to the defendants by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
They however pleaded not guilty to the charges following which their lawyers moved oral applications for their bail.
Justice Taiwo Taiwo, in his ruling, admitted Oyo-Ita to a bail of N100M and two sureties in like sum.
One of the two sureties, the judge held, must be a grade level 17 Officer in the federal government employment or any of its agencies and must have a landed property worth the bail bond.
The second surety must show evidence of being gainfully employed and has the capability of paying N100M in the event that the defendant jumps bail.
The judge further ordered that she deposited her international passport with the registrar of the court and report to the prosecuting counsel at the EFCC’s Office for seven days, effective from March 24, when she is expected to perfect her bail.
Justice Taiwo however admitted Mr Garba Umar and Mr Ubong Effiok to bail in the sum of N50m and two sureties each in like sum.
Other conditions attached to their bail are similar to those of Mrs Oyo-Ita.
The former Head of Service in count one was alleged to have used her position as Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Power in 2010 to divert the sum of N20M into her personal company, Front line Ace Global Services Limited contrary to section 14 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2004.
She was also alleged to have between April and May, 2010 while as Deputy Director in the Federal Ministry of Power, converted to herself the sum of N26.4M through a company allegedly linked to her
The charge in counts four and five further indicated that the defendant also converted the sum of N66.9M being public funds under the guise of purported estacodes for journeys not embarked on contrary to section 15 of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.
In counts six and seven, the EFCC accused her of taking possession of another N45M along with her former Personal Assistant, Mr Ubong Effiok, under the guise that the money was for conference fees, estacodes and ticket fees as well as Duty Tour Allowance (DTA) for journeys not made.
In counts eight and nine, the federal government accused Oyo-Ita along with Umar, a civil servant, of diverting the sum of N63M as part payment for a contract paid to Gooddeal Investment Limited, allegedly owned by Umar.
In count 18, Mrs Oyo-Ita was accused of failure to make full disclosure of her assets in the Assets Declaration Form of August 12, 2019, which she filled at the EFCC’s office, Abuja.
Meanwhile, Justice Taiwo ordered that the defendants be released to their respective lawyers pending the perfection of their bail.
Justice Taiwo said that the decision was made in view of the Coronavirus pandemic, adding that lives should not be put in unnecessary danger.
The trial of the defendants has been fixed for May, 27 and 28 as well as June 2,3 and 4, 2020.