“She Was Not Coerced” — EFCC Submits Video Of Oyo-Ita Writing Statement To Counter Duress Allegation
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday presented a key piece of video evidence in the ongoing trial-within-trial of former Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja.
The video, tendered by the first prosecution witness (PW1), Hamma Adama Bello, shows Oyo-Ita calmly writing her confessional statements at the EFCC office. The prosecution maintains that the footage disproves the defendant’s claim that she was coerced or placed under duress while in custody.
Led in evidence by EFCC counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, Bello explained that the video recording was submitted to establish the voluntariness of Oyo-Ita’s statements. According to him, contrary to her assertions, the defendant was neither harassed nor intimidated at any point during the interrogation process.
Oyo-Ita, who is the first defendant in the case, is being prosecuted alongside two of her aides—Ugbong Okon Effiok (seventh defendant) and Garba Umar (fourth defendant)—as well as six companies: 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.
They face an 18-count charge bordering on official corruption, money laundering, criminal diversion of public funds, and misappropriation of over ₦3 billion.
Following the presentation of the video evidence, Justice Omotosho adjourned the matter to October 14 and 16, 2025, for the continuation of trial.
