In a significant development, Justice F. Giwa Ogunbanjo of the Federal High Court in Abuja, on Monday, January 22, 2024, admitted a fresh exhibit against Emmanuella Eteta Ita, the Head of the Stakeholders Unit of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), and Surestart School Ltd. The admission of the exhibit transpired within a trial within a trial aimed at determining the admissibility of Ita’s statement made to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ita and Surestart School Ltd are currently facing a 25-count charge, including allegations of criminal misappropriation, diversion, criminal breach of trust, and money laundering amounting to N2 billion.
During the trial, Ita’s counsel, Paul Erokoro, objected to the admissibility of his client’s statement, contending that it was obtained under duress and in the absence of legal representation. Notably, Ita reportedly volunteered her statement to EFCC investigators in the presence of Eka Didara-Abasi Akpata, a lawyer from FIRS who accompanied her to the EFCC office.
In a ruling on Monday, Justice Ogunbanjo declared that the defense failed to prove beyond reasonable doubt that Ita’s statement was not voluntary. Referring to Section 15 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the judge emphasized that electronic recording of a defendant’s statement and the presence of a defendant’s counsel were not mandatory. Consequently, the statement was admitted in evidence and marked as “Exhibit 25.”
Further proceedings included the conclusion of testimony by Ijeoma Matilda, an EFCC operative, who was led in evidence by prosecuting counsel Ekele Iheanacho. Matilda disclosed information provided by System Specs, a federal government remittance payment platform, indicating funds allegedly funneled into Surestart School Ltd between 2017 and 2018, amounting to N173,346,391.50. Surestart School Ltd, owned by Ita, is the second defendant in the case.
Matilda highlighted that during reconciliation, Ita could not justify the sum of N158 million transferred from her account to the second defendant, Surestart School Ltd. Allegedly, receipts presented by Ita, purportedly from Lomein Express Ltd, were found to be invalid upon verification with the company. Matilda also revealed that Ita, who claimed to have resigned as the director of Surestart School Ltd, was confirmed as the owner by Corporate Affairs Commission documents.
The witness further disclosed that Ita had refunded approximately N19.5 million into the EFCC’s account at the Central Bank of Nigeria on various dates. Additionally, the analysis of Ita’s salary account with FIRS showed substantial amounts, including over N277 million, being transferred into the second defendant’s account, apart from allowances.
Justice Ogunbanjo adjourned the trial to January 23 and 24, 2024, for further proceedings.
