Alleged ₦3bn Fraud: Witness Refutes Oyo-Ita’s Claim in Trial-within-Trial
By Naija Enquirer Staff
The trial of former Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, continued on Tuesday, January 20, 2026, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, with the prosecution calling its first witness in a trial-within-trial.
The First Prosecution Witness, Hamma Adama Bello, an operative of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), testified with video evidence to establish that statements made by Oyo-Ita during investigation were written voluntarily and under caution.
The trial-within-trial followed the defendant’s claim, midstream into the substantive trial, that her statements were obtained under duress, prompting the court to determine their admissibility.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, H.M. Mohammed, the witness told the court that Oyo-Ita, the first defendant, wrote her statements freely without intimidation, harassment or coercion while in EFCC custody.
With the permission of the court, the prosecution played a video recording of the statement-taking process in open court. In the footage, the witness identified himself, another EFCC officer identified as Rukkayya, and the first defendant.
Bello told the court that Oyo-Ita appeared calm and relaxed in the recording, showing no signs of stress. He explained that before she wrote her statement, she was duly cautioned and informed of her right to have her lawyer present.
According to the witness, Oyo-Ita was also told that she could suspend the process until her lawyer arrived or invite her counsel to witness the statement-taking.
The video recording was admitted in evidence without objection from the defence.
During cross-examination, counsel to the first, second and third defendants, Michael Olawale, questioned the witness on whether Oyo-Ita was granted bail and the identity of her surety. Bello said he could not immediately recall the surety’s identity but would be able to do so upon sighting the case file.
Counsel to the seventh defendant, Okechukwu Ajanwa, SAN, also questioned the witness on whether he interviewed the seventh defendant, Ugbong Okon Effiok. Bello answered in the affirmative but explained that he could not recall why there was no video recording of that interview, noting that he was not the only member of the investigative team.
With no further questions from the defence and no re-examination by the prosecution, Justice Omotosho discharged the witness.
Counsel to the first defendant subsequently applied for an adjournment to enable the defence to open its case in the trial-within-trial.
Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter until Wednesday, January 21, 2026, for continuation of the trial-within-trial.
Oyo-Ita is standing trial alongside her special assistants, Garba Umar (4th defendant) and Ugbong Okon Effiok (7th defendant), as well as six companies: Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, Asanaya Projects Limited, Slopes International Limited, U and U Global Services Ltd, Prince Mega Logistics Ltd, and Good Deal Investments.
The defendants are facing an 18-count charge bordering on misappropriation of funds, official corruption, money laundering and criminal diversion of public funds to the tune of over ₦3 billion.
