Court Sentences Woman to Seven Years in Prison for N127 Million Fraud in Calabar

A Federal High Court sitting in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to seven years in prison for fraud involving N127 million. The court, presided over by Justice Rosemary Oghoghorie, found Ita guilty of forgery and diversion of funds after a trial conducted by the Uyo Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Despite pleading not guilty, Ita was convicted on a twelve-count charge, including making a forged document—an annual return form for Sharpnet Concept Limited—purportedly signed by another director. She was also found guilty of taking possession of N45 million paid by the University of Calabar for a project, despite knowing the funds were proceeds of crime.

The EFCC, in a statement released on its official X handle, detailed the charges and trial, which began in 2019. The prosecution, led by Joshua Abolarin, presented witnesses and evidence that the court deemed sufficient to establish Ita’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Oghoghorie subsequently sentenced her to seven years imprisonment, reinforcing the ongoing efforts of the EFCC to combat financial crimes in Nigeria.