Connect with us

Published

on

banner

Medical Doctor sentenced to seven years jail term over N127 million fraud

A Federal High Court, sitting in Calabar, the Cross River State capital has convicted and sentenced one Geraldine Orok Ita to prison for fraud amounting to N127m.

Advertisement

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Uyo Directorate, had prosecuted Ita on a twelve-count charge, bordering on forgery and diversion of fund to the tune of N127,686,594,l.87 (One Hundred and Twenty-seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty-six Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-four Naira, Eighty-seven Kobo).

Although Ita pleaded not guilty, however, the court presided over by Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie, convinced that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, sentenced Ita to seven years imprisonment.

Advertisement

This was made known via a statement shared on the anti-graft agency’s X handle on Saturday, February 08.

The statement reads: “A Federal High Court, sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, presided over by Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie has convicted and sentenced Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to prison for fraud.

Advertisement

“Ita was prosecuted by the Uyo Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC, on a twelve-count charge, bordering on forgery and diversion of fund to the tune of N127,686,594,l.87 (One Hundred and Twenty-seven Million, Six Hundred and Eighty-six Thousand, Five Hundred and Ninety-four Naira, Eighty-seven Kobo).

“One of the charges reads: ‘That you, Dr Geraldine Orok Ita ‘F’ on or about the 6th day of November, 2014, in Calabar, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did make a forged document to wit: FORM CAC 10 (ANNUAL RETURN FOR A SMALL COMPANY) IN RESPECT OF SHARPNET CONCEPT LIMITED DATED 06/1 1/2014, purported to have been signed by Mrs. Rose Orok Ita (a Director in Sharpnet Concept Limited), with the intent that the document may be acted upon as genuine and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 1 (2) (C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act Cap M 17 of the Revised Edition (Law of the Federation of Nigeria) and Punishable under Section 1 (2) (c) of the same Act’.

Advertisement

“Another reads: ‘That you, Dr Geraldine Orok Ita ‘F’ on or about 14/02/2019, in Calabar, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, did take possession of the sum of Forty-Five Million Naira (#45,000,000) through Bank Account No: 2027011283 domiciled in First Bank with Account Name: Rok Projects Limited, paid by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) for the project executed by ROK PROJECTS LIMITED/SHARPNET CONCEPT LIMITED, when you reasonably ought to know that the money was part of the proceeds of crime to wit: forgery and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (3) of the same Act’.

“She pleaded “not guilty” to the charges, prompting her trial that commenced in 2019. In the course of the trial, prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin called witnesses and presented incontrovertible evidence.

Advertisement

“Convinced that the prosecution proved its case beyond reasonable doubt, Justice Oghogho-rie convicted and sentenced Ita to seven years imprisonment.”

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading
Advertisement

News

Governor, Emir, over 3 million crowd gather for Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud

Published

on

banner

Governor, Emir, over 3 million crowd gather for Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud

An estimated 3 million followers of Tijaniyya Islamic Sect from within and outside the country, on Saturday, converged on Katsina for the celebration of Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ Maulud, 2026.

Advertisement

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the event which took place at Muhammad Dikko Stadium, Katsina, was organised by the “Majma’u Ahbab Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass”.

The Chairman, organising committee, Sheikh Muhammad Hadi-Balarabe, said that they anticipated about 4 million guests from the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), as well as West and North African countries.

Advertisement

NAN gathered that almost all hotel rooms in Katsina metropolis were occupied by those who came from far places, the situation made some residents to provide their unoccupied houses for their visitors as a demonstration of hospitality.

Those who could not afford to lodge in hotel rooms slept in the stadium in spite of the cold weather.

Advertisement

Before 9a.m. of Saturday, the stadium had already filled to capacity, both the seats and pitch were occupied by people, while all available surrounding spaces inside the stadium were later occupied by people.

The dual carriage road linking to the venue from the WTC roundabout up to Barhin roundabout was filled up by people.

Advertisement

NAN also observed that the event presented opportunities for traders, especially those selling food, water, soft drinks, herbal medicine, clothing materials, books, among others to make brisk businesses.

Addressing the gathering, Sheikh Ibrahim Dahiru-Bauchi, thanked the Katsina State Government for hosting the historic event and prayed Allah to bring lasting peace, stability and prosperity to the state, Northern Nigeria and the country in general.

Advertisement

In his remarks, the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Muhammad Sanusi II, urged Muslims to continue to stand firm in obeying the commandments of their creator.

He advised them to intensify efforts in seeking Allah’s forgiveness, follow the footsteps of the Prophet Muhammad (Peace Be Upon Him), endeavour to seek for knowledge, and engage in business activities to become self reliant.

Advertisement

Gov. Dikko Radda of Katsina, thanked the organisers for choosing his state to host the 2026 Maulud.

He appreciated the scholars for offerings prayers for peace and stability in the state and the country at large.

Advertisement

Radda revealed that with such prayers, peace was gradually returning to the state and urged them to sustain the prayers for the overall betterment of the state and Nigeria.

Sheikh Ibrahim Nyass’ eldest son, Sheikh Mahi Ibrahim-Nyass, represented by his younger brother, Sheikh Muhammad Ibrahim-Nyass, prayed Allah to repose the soul of the revered Islamic scholar, Sheikh Dahiru Usman-Bauchi, who passed away some months ago.

Advertisement

He urged the Muslims across the globe to continue to be united, love one-another and uphold the sect firmly.

A special prayer was also offered for Katsina, Nigeria and the leaders. (NAN)

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

Expatriate kidnapped as Police officer is shot dead by suspected gunmen

Published

on

banner

Expatriate kidnapped as Police officer is shot dead by suspected gunmen

Unknown gunmen on Saturday invaded Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, abducting an expatriate and killing a police officer attached to him.

Advertisement

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ayanlade Olayinka, confirmed the incident in a statement made available to journalists in Ibadan.

Olayinka said the police officer was killed while repelling the attack, adding that some of the abductors sustained gunshot injuries.

Advertisement

“There was an attack at Aqua Triton Company in Ogunmakin, near Ibadan, where unidentified gunmen stormed the facility in a commando-style operation.

“One police officer tragically died while repelling the attack, injuring some assailants, and the Chinese expatriate principal was abducted,” Olayinka added.

Advertisement

He said the Commissioner of Police, Femi Haruna, ordered the Assistant Commissioner in charge of Operations to lead anti-kidnapping and tactical teams to the scene.

According to him, bush-combing operations are ongoing, while investigations continue to rescue the victim and arrest those responsible. (NAN)

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

News

President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing

Published

on

banner

President Tinubu returns to Nigeria after Abu Dhabi outing

President Bola Tinubu has returned to Nigeria after participating in the 2026 Abu Dhabi Sustainability Week (ADSW 2026).

Advertisement

Presidential spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Saturday in Abuja.

The president attended the summit alongside some members of his cabinet.

Advertisement

On the sidelines of the summit, Nigeria signed a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA) with the United Arab Emirates (UAE).

The agreement is aimed at deepening economic cooperation, boosting bilateral trade and investment, and enhancing technology transfer.

Advertisement

It will also expand collaboration in key sectors, including energy, infrastructure, agriculture, mining and renewable energy.

In his address at the summit, Tinubu announced that Nigeria and the UAE would jointly host INVESTOPIA in Lagos in February.

Advertisement

The initiative is designed to attract global investors and accelerate sustainable investment inflows into Nigeria.

Tinubu also said Nigeria targets mobilising up to $30 billion annually in climate and green industrial finance.

Advertisement

He said the funds would support energy transition reforms and expand nationwide access to electricity. (NAN)

Advertisement
banner
Continue Reading

Trending

© 2025, All Rights Reserved | Crime Channels