Affirmed N3bn Extortion: How Oyo-Ita, Partners Redirected Open Reserves to Private Companies

Arraignment Witness Details: Alleged Misappropriation Scheme

Arraignment Witness Eight (PW8), Hamma Adama Bello, testified before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, on Thursday, April 25, 2024, detailing how the former Head of Service (HoS), Winifred Oyo-Ita, and her associates allegedly diverted public funds into their private companies.

Defendants and Charges

Oyo-Ita, the primary defendant, faces criminal prosecution by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alongside her special assistants, Ugbong Okon Effiok (7th defendant), Garba Umar (4th defendant), and six companies:

• Advanced Pro Global Services Limited
• Asanaya Ventures Limited
• Slopes International Limited
• U and U Global Services Ltd
• Prince Mega Logistics Ltd
• Good Deal Investments

They are charged with 18 counts bordering on misappropriation, official corruption, money laundering, and criminal diversion of funds to the tune of over N3 billion.

Alleged Misappropriation Scheme

According to the witness, Oyo-Ita used Slopes International Limited and Good Deal Investments Limited (5th and 6th defendants, respectively) to fraudulently award government contracts to herself through the 4th defendant, Umar. The initial deposit transaction of Good Deal Venture Ltd in February 2019 showed that N42,748,201.47 (Forty-two million, Seven Hundred and Forty-eight Thousand, Two Hundred and One Naira, and forty-seven kobo) was paid into its Apex Bank account. Umar, the witness said, joined the company with Oyo-Ita’s full knowledge.

The witness stated, “We called for the account statements of these two companies, and upon analyzing them, we realized he (Umar) was paid several sums of money from the Ministry of Interior, Works and Housing, where he is an employee. And upon interrogating the fourth defendant, he admitted that he was also a contractor. He also admitted to have paid the primary defendant on several occasions from the proceeds of the transactions.”

Payments to Asanaya Ventures Ltd and U and U Global Services Ltd

On April 27, 2019, a transfer of N20,227,142 (Twenty Million, Two and Twenty-seven Thousand, One Hundred and Forty-two Naira) was made in the name of Ibrahim Madu to the Pinnacle Bank account of Asanaya Ventures Ltd. The mandate card of the account bears the signature and photo of the 7th defendant, Effiok.

Investigations revealed that the 7th defendant registered Asanaya Ventures Ltd in his name with the knowledge of the primary defendant, and approvals were granted and payments were made to the 7th defendant either through his personal account or to the account of the company.

According to the witness, “The 7th defendant, upon interrogation, confirmed he never traveled for most of the funds he received, which the primary defendant was aware of and benefitted from on several occasions from the deposits. The account of U and U Global Services Limited was also opened by the 7th defendant.”

The witness added, “In summary, from 2015 to 2018, U and U Global Limited received several payments in the form of Duty Tour Allowances and estacodes. Sometimes, payments from the federal government were made directly to the account; for instance, on March 24, 2016, he received N40,313,453.58 (Forty Million, Three Hundred and twenty Thousand, Four Hundred and Three Naira, and fifty-eight Kobo). This particular payment was from the federal government.”

Payments to Prince Mega Logistics Ltd

“Exhibit O is the Fidelity Bank account of Prince Mega Logistics Ltd. On March 27, 2018, and April 6, 2018, there were four entries: N4,950,000 (Four Million, Nine Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira); N3,946,000 (Three Million, Nine Hundred and Forty-six Thousand Naira); N4,676,000 (Four Million, Six Hundred and Seventy-six Thousand Naira); and N1,478,000 (One Million, Four Hundred and Seventy-eight Thousand Naira) from Thomson Titus Okure, who used to be a colleague of the 7th defendant in the Accounts Office. There were also outward payments to Ignom, Minaro Blessing, Winifred Oyo-Ita, and Olarenwaju Godman Olushola, and the 7th defendant is the sole signatory of this account.”

Interviews and Statements

The witness further stated, “I also need to add that we invited the primary, second, and seventh defendants at different times to our office and interviewed them. In the case of the first defendant, we printed chats from her phone and saw discussions she had with contractors, subordinates, and permanent secretaries; she also voluntarily made a statement to the EFCC.”

The matter was adjourned until April 30, 2024.