TheCable

Hamma-Adama Bello, an official of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), says Winifred Oyo-Ita, a former head of service (HoS), awarded government contracts to companies she owns or retains interest in. 

Muhammadu Buhari, former president, appointed Oyo-Ita as head of service on October 21, 2015 and fired her on September 18, 2019.

She was directed to proceed on an indefinite leave pending the conclusion of an EFCC investigation.

The anti-graft agency first arraigned Oyo-Ita in 2020 on an 18-count charge bordering on money laundering to the tune of N570 million.

Oyo-Ita and Ubong Effiok, her then aide; Frontline Ace Global Services Limited; Asanaya Projects Limited; Slopes International Limited; and Good Deal Investments Limited; were some of the other entities arraigned at the time.

They pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting the commencement of trial.

During proceedings on Tuesday, Bello, the eight witness of the EFCC, said the former HoS sat as chair of Frontline Ace Global Services to receive funds for the contracts.

“The team started the investigation. In the course of the investigation, we called for documents,” the witness said.

“The nature of the intelligence was such that the 1st and 7th defendants and a host of others were using their office to get contracts for companies they incorporated or had an interest in.

“It was discovered that the 1st defendant severally sat as chairman, CEO of Frontline Ace Global Services Ltd where she issued both resolutions to open the said accounts.”

After his testimony, the trial was adjourned to January 26 by James Omotosho, the judge handling the case.