A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to seven years in prison for fraud.
Rosemary Oghogho-rie (Justice) delivered the judgement after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case beyond reasonable doubt.
The EFCC, through its Uyo Command, prosecuted Ita on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery and diversion of funds amounting to N127,686,594.87.
In a statement released on Saturday, Dele Oyewale, EFCC spokesperson detailed the charges, including forgery of corporate documents and the illegal diversion of N45 million paid by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) for a project.
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Court records revealed that on November 6, 2014, Ita forged an annual return form for Sharpnet Concept Limited, falsely signing on behalf of a director, Mrs. Rose Orok Ita.
She later manipulated company records, removed existing directors, and appointed a new company secretary while altering the firms’ registered address and share allocations.
According to EFCC, further investigations showed that on February 14, 2019, she took possession of N45 million, paid into a First Bank account under the name Rok Projects Limited, despite knowing it was linked to fraudulent activities.
Ita’s trouble began in 2019 when Sharpnet Concept Limited and Rok Project Limited filed a petition against her.
EFCC noted that the complainants alleged that she fraudulently took control of the companies, claiming to be the second wife of Engr. Orok Okonkon Ita, who passed away in 2004.
Despite pleading not guilty, Ita was found guilty under the Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Oghogho-rie sentenced her to seven years in prison, marking the end of a trial that lasted nearly five years.
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