A Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced a medical doctor Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to seven years imprisonment for fraud and forgery involving the sum of N127, 686, 594.87.
The judgment was delivered by Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie on Friday, February 7, 2025.
Dr. Ita was prosecuted by the Uyo Zonal Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 12-count charge bordering on forgery and diversion of funds.
The charges included allegations that she forged documents and fraudulently diverted funds meant for projects executed by Sharpnet Concept Limited and ROK Projects Limited.
One of the charges stated that Dr. Ita, on or about November 6, 2014, forged a Form CAC 10 (annual return for a small company) in respect of Sharpnet Concept Limited, purportedly signed by Mrs. Rose Orok Ita, a director in the company.
The document was allegedly used to misrepresent the company’s records.
Another charge accused her of taking possession of N45 million paid by the University of Calabar (UNICAL) for a project executed by ROK Projects Limited/Sharpnet Concept Limited, knowing that the funds were proceeds of crime.
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Dr. Ita pleaded not guilty to the charges, leading to a trial that commenced in 2019.
During the trial, the prosecution counsel, Joshua Abolarin, presented witnesses and evidence that proved the case beyond reasonable doubt.
Justice Oghogho-rie, convinced by the evidence, convicted and sentenced Dr. Ita to seven years imprisonment.
The case originated from a petition filed in 2019 by Sharpnet Concept Limited and ROK Projects Limited, initiated by two of its directors.
The petitioners alleged that Dr. Ita forged and fraudulently altered the companies’ documents, removing the initial directors and claiming to be the second wife of the late Engr. Orok Okonkon Ita, who died in 2004.
She was also accused of appointing a new company secretary, changing the registered address of the companies, and re-allocating shares without authorization.
The EFCC’s investigation revealed that Dr. Ita had manipulated the companies’ records to gain control and divert funds meant for development projects.
Her actions were deemed a violation of the Miscellaneous Offences Act and the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act.
Dele Oyewale, Head of Media and Publicity for the EFCC, in a statement issued on Saturday, said the case highlights the EFCC’s commitment to combating financial crimes and ensuring accountability in the management of public and private funds.
