A Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to 7 years in prison for fraud.
The court, presided over by Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie, found Dr. Ita guilty of a 12-count charge bordering on forgery and diversion of funds to the tune of N127,686,594.87.
The charges included making a forged document, specifically a FORM CAC 10 (ANNUAL RETURN FOR A SMALL COMPANY) for Sharpnet Concept Limited, and taking possession of N45,000,000 paid by the University of Calabar for a project executed by ROK PROJECTS LIMITED/SHARPNET CONCEPT LIMITED, with the knowledge that the money was part of the proceeds of crime.
Dr. Ita’s journey to the Nigeria Correctional Centre began in 2019 when the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) received a petition from Sharpnet Concept Limited and ROK Project Limited, alleging that she had forged and fraudulently altered the companies’ documents in her favor.
The petitioners claimed that Dr. Ita had removed the two initial directors from the companies’ records and claimed to be the second wife of Engr. Orok Okonkon Ita, who died in 2004. The EFCC prosecuted Dr. Ita, and after a trial that commenced in 2019, Justice Oghogho-rie convicted and sentenced her to 7 years in prison.
Forged document, specifically a FORM CAC 10 (ANNUAL RETURN FOR A SMALL COMPANY) for Sharpnet Concept Limited, and taking possession of N45,000,000 paid by the University of Calabar for a project executed by ROK PROJECTS LIMITED/SHARPNET CONCEPT LIMITED, with the knowledge that the money was part of the proceeds of crime
This case is a significant win for the EFCC in its efforts to combat fraud and corruption in Nigeria. It highlights the importance of holding individuals accountable for their actions and ensuring that justice is served. As the EFCC continues to work tirelessly to prosecute cases of fraud and corruption, it is essential that the public remains vigilant and reports any suspicious activities to the authorities.
