A Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has sentenced Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to seven years in prison for a N127 million fraud case. Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie delivered the ruling after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) proved its case against her.
Dr. Ita faced a twelve-count charge of forgery and diversion of funds amounting to N127,686,594.87. One of the charges stated that on November 6, 2014, she forged an official document—FORM CAC 10 (Annual Return for a Small Company)—for Sharpnet Concept Limited. She allegedly signed it using the name of a director, Mrs. Rose Orok Ita, with the intent to pass it off as genuine. This act was found to violate Section 1 (2) (C) of the Miscellaneous Offences Act.
Another charge revealed that on February 14, 2019, she received N45 million through a First Bank account under the name Rok Projects Limited. The money was paid by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) for a project carried out by ROK Projects Limited/Sharpnet Concept Limited. The EFCC argued that she ought to have known the funds were linked to forgery and fraud, thereby violating the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
During the trial, Dr. Ita pleaded "not guilty" to all charges. However, the prosecution, led by Joshua Abolarin, presented compelling evidence and witness testimonies, leading the court to rule against her.
The case began in 2019 when directors of Sharpnet Concept Limited and ROK Project Limited filed a petition with the EFCC. They accused Dr. Ita of illegally altering company documents to remove the original directors and claim ownership. She also allegedly appointed a new company secretary, changed the companies’ registered address, and reallocated shares to benefit herself.
After reviewing the evidence, Justice Oghogho-rie concluded that the prosecution had proven the case beyond reasonable doubt. She then sentenced Dr. Ita to seven years imprisonment.