EFCC witness tenders evidence against ex-HoS, Oyo-Ita

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC’s witness, Mr Hamma-Adama Bello, has told a Federal High Court in Abuja how the immediate-past Head of Service, Mrs Winifred Oyo-Ita, used her companies to launder government funds while in service.

Bello, a Chief Superintendent of EFCC and the Head of Special Investigation Team, told Justice James Omotosho on Tuesday in Abuja while testifying as 8th prosecution witness (PW8).

The PW8, while being led in evidence by the EFCC’s lawyer, Farouk Abdullah, said his team received intelligence from the office of the anti-graft agency’s chairman sometime in 2019.

“The intelligence bordered on the activities of the 1st defendant (Oyo-Ita), her minister then in the Ministry of Special Duty and Inter-Governmental Affairs where she was serving.

“The 1st defendant was the permanent secretary then, and other staff that include Mr Ubong, the 7th defendant,” he said.

The witness said the team invited Oyo-Ita and her Special Assistant, Ubong Effiok, having received and analyzed documents relating to the intelligence.

According to him, it was discovered that the 1st defendant was the beneficial owner of two companies; Frontline Ace Global Services Limited and Asanaya Projects Ltd.

Bello informed the court that investigation revealed that Oyo-Ita maintained two accounts in Zenith Bank Plc for Frontline Ace Global Services Limited.

Besides, he said it was discovered that the ex-HoS had severally sat as chairman, CEO of Frontline Ace Global Services ltd where she issued both resolutions to open the said accounts.

Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Jan. 26 for the continuation of trial.”