In a dramatic turn at the Federal High Court in Maitama, the former Head of Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita, admitted on Wednesday that she was duly cautioned by investigators before providing statements regarding an alleged ₦3 billion fraud.
Appearing as the first defence witness (DW1) in a “trial-within-trial,” Oyo-Ita’s testimony aimed to challenge the admissibility of her previous statements to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). While she originally claimed the documents were obtained under duress, her cross-examination by prosecution counsel H.M. Mohammed revealed a different narrative.
During the proceedings, Oyo-Ita confirmed she had signed a formal cautionary word before her interrogation. The prosecution read from her statement dated August 10, 2019, which explicitly stated: “I, Winifred Oyo-Ita, having been duly cautioned in English Language that I am not obliged to say anything unless I wish to do so, but what I say shall be taken down in writing and may be given as evidence. I have been reminded of my right to have a counsel present, but I chose to continue without counsel.”
Despite this acknowledgement, Oyo-Ita maintained a contradictory stance before Justice James Omotosho. She asserted that while she wrote the content of her own free will, she was “forced” to sign them. She urged the court to reject three separate statements, claiming they were not produced voluntarily.
The defence’s claims of pressure faced a significant hurdle following evidence presented on Tuesday, January 20. The prosecution played a video recording of the statement-taking process, which showed a starkly different atmosphere than the one described by the defendant.
According to investigator Hamma Adama Bello (PW1), the footage captured Oyo-Ita appearing “calm and relaxed,” showing no visible signs of stress or coercion. Bello further testified that before the defendant wrote her statement, she was duly cautioned and informed of her right to have her lawyer present. He added that she was also told she could stop writing until her lawyer arrived or invite her lawyer to witness the process.
The court noted that the video evidence was admitted as an exhibit without any objection from the defence team.
Oyo-Ita is standing trial alongside several co-defendants, including her special assistants, Garba Umar and Ugbong Okon Effiok. Six companies are also named in the suit: 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 group faces an 18-count charge involving the misappropriation of funds, official corruption, and money laundering totalling over ₦3 billion.
Justice James Omotosho has adjourned the matter until March 4, 2026, for the adoption of addresses in the trial-within-trial. The court’s eventual ruling will determine whether Oyo-Ita’s statements can be used as evidence in the main corruption case.
