The EFCC presented video evidence in the trial-within-trial of former Head of Service Winifred Oyo-Ita, showing her calmly writing a confessional statement, contrary to duress claims

[dropcap]T[/dropcap]he Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Monday, June 30, 2025, presented a crucial witness before Justice James Omotosho of the Federal High Court, Maitama, Abuja, in the ongoing Oyo-Ita EFCC Trial-within-trial involving the former Head of Service, Winifred Oyo-Ita.

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This development aims to counter the defendant’s claims of duress during her statement-taking process at the Commission’s office.

The first prosecution witness (PW1), Hamma Adama Bello, presented compelling video evidence to the court.

The footage reportedly shows Oyo-Ita calmly writing her confessional statements at the EFCC office, a direct contradiction to her assertion that she was subjected to coercion, harassment, or threats during the process.

While being led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Faruk Abdullahi, the witness formally tendered the video recording.

The presentation of this visual evidence is a strategic move by the prosecution to establish that Oyo-Ita’s statements were made voluntarily, thereby validating their admissibility in the main trial.

Oyo-Ita, who is the first defendant in the high-profile case, is standing trial alongside several co-defendants. These include her special assistants, 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.

The defendants are facing an extensive 18-count charge that borders on serious allegations of misappropriation of funds, official corruption, money laundering, and criminal diversion of funds.

The total sum involved in these alleged financial infractions exceeds an staggering N3 billion, highlighting the gravity of the charges against the former top civil servant and her alleged accomplices.

The Oyo-Ita EFCC Trial has drawn significant public attention due to the amount of money involved and the high-profile nature of the defendant.

Following the presentation of the video evidence and the witness’s testimony, Justice Omotosho has adjourned the case.

The trial is scheduled to continue on October 14 and 16, 2025, when further proceedings are expected to unfold as both the prosecution and defence present their arguments and evidence.