The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has presented a video recording in court showing former Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita, calmly writing her confessional statement during interrogation.
This was revealed during a trial-within-trial session held on Monday, June 30, 2025, at the Federal High Court in Maitama, Abuja, presided over by Justice James Omotosho.
Diaspora Digital Media (DDM) reports that the video was submitted by the EFCC’s First Prosecution Witness (PW1), Hamma Adama Bello, in a bid to counter the defendant’s claim that her confessional statements were made under duress.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel Faruk Abdullahi, the witness stated that Oyo-Ita showed no signs of distress or coercion while she was being questioned at the Commission’s office.
The footage, which reportedly shows Oyo-Ita writing her statements without harassment or intimidation, is expected to play a central role in determining the admissibility of her confessions.
Oyo-Ita, along with several co-defendants, is standing trial on an 18-count charge involving allegations of fraud, official corruption, money laundering, and the diversion of public funds.
The EFCC alleges that the defendants misappropriated over ₦3 billion while Oyo-Ita held office.
Also named in the case are her special assistants Ugbong Okon Effiok (7th defendant) and Garba Umar (4th defendant), along with six companies:
- Frontline Ace Global Services Limited
- Asanaya Projects Limited
- Slopes International Limited
- U and U Global Services Ltd
- Prince Mega Logistics Ltd
- Good Deal Investments
According to the EFCC, the funds were laundered and diverted through a network of front companies controlled by the accused.
The defence team has maintained that the statements made by Oyo-Ita were obtained under pressure, a claim now challenged by the newly submitted video evidence.
Justice Omotosho has adjourned the trial to October 14 and 16, 2025, for the continuation of proceedings.
This case is one of the high-profile prosecutions initiated by the EFCC under its renewed drive to combat large-scale corruption in Nigeria’s public sector.
Observers and legal analysts say the outcome of the trial could set a significant precedent for holding senior civil servants accountable in corruption-related cases.