Medical Doctor Bags 7 Years Imprisonment For N127m Fraud In Calabar

A Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted a medical doctor, Geraldine Orok Ita, and sentenced her to seven years in prison for a N127.7 million fraud. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Uyo Directorate secured the conviction.

Ita was prosecuted on a 12-count charge of forgery and diversion of funds. The charges alleged that she forged documents, including the annual return for Sharpnet Concept Limited, with the intent of deceiving others into believing they were genuine.

Another charge stated that Ita took possession of N45 million paid by the University of Calabar for a project executed by ROK Projects Limited/Sharpnet Concept Limited, despite knowing that the money was part of the proceeds of crime.

Ita pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a trial that began in 2019. During the trial, prosecution counsel Joshua Abolarin presented witnesses and evidence that proved Ita’s guilt beyond reasonable doubt.

Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie subsequently convicted and sentenced Ita to seven years in prison.

The case against Ita began in 2019 when the EFCC received a petition from Sharpnet Concept Limited and ROK Project Limited. The petition alleged that Ita forged and altered company documents to favor herself, removing the original directors and claiming to be the second wife of the late Engr. Orok Okonkon Ita.

The petitioners also accused Ita of appointing a new company secretary, changing the registered address, and making unauthorized share allotments.