Alleged N3b Fraud: Oyo-Ita Pleads Not Guilty

The former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation,Winnifred Oyo-Ita has pleaded not guilty to money laundering charges filed by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), before a Federal High Court, Abuja.

Ubong Effiok( her special assistant) and Garba Umar, who are among the defendants in the suit, also pleaded not guilty to the 18-count charges on Monday.

Other defendants are Frontline Ace Global Services Limited, Asanaya Projects Ltd, Garba Umar Slopes International Ltd.; Gooddeal Investments Ltd; U & U Global Services Ltd, which is owned by to Effiok and Prince Mega Logistics Limited.

The EFCC is prosecuting her and eight others for allegedly receiving kickbacks worth 3 billion naira on contracts, illegal estacodes and duty tour allowance from the government, during her time as head of service.

Justice Taiwo Taiwo presided over the matter.

M.S Abubakar was counsel for the prosecution, while Oyo-Ita was represented by Paul Erokoro.

But Abubakar further asked the court to give a new date to bring in witnesses.