In a striking revelation before the Federal High Court in Abuja, a Prosecution Witness unveiled how Emmanuella Eteta Ita, the Head of the Stakeholders Unit at the Federal Inland Revenue Services (FIRS), was allegedly involved in diverting over N2 billion of public funds into her private institution, Surestart School Ltd. This disclosure was made on Monday, March 18, 2024, during the ongoing trial presided over by Justice Giwa Ogunbanjo, shedding light on the intricate fraud scheme that has captured the attention of the nation.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has been meticulously piecing together the details of this case, with the witness, identified as Ijeoma Matilda, providing critical testimony against Ita. According to Matilda, while Ita was at the helm of a significant department within the FIRS, she allegedly funneled substantial amounts allocated for Stakeholders’ projects into her own accounts, further redirecting these funds to Surestart School Ltd, a private school she operated.
The mechanism of the alleged fraud was laid bare as Matilda recounted how funds intended for specific Stakeholders’ assignments were discovered in Ita’s account, complete with payment narrations that pointed to the fraudulent activities. The EFCC’s investigation further traced these transactions directly to the account of Surestart School Ltd, raising serious concerns about the misuse of public funds.
During cross-examination by defense counsel Paul Erokoro, Matilda detailed how Ita, upon being brought in for reconciliation by the EFCC, exhibited a willingness to cooperate by providing documents and expressing her intent to repay the embezzled funds. Remarkably, Ita has reportedly refunded about N17 million of the misappropriated money, despite initially benefiting approximately N5 million from the scheme.
The unfolding case also highlighted the involvement of other individuals, including a certain Daniel, a deceased staff member of the FIRS, whose account was found to have benefited from the fraudulent transactions. The prosecution’s efforts have extended to reaching out to various entities connected to the case, including FIRS, the United Bank for Africa (UBA), and System Spec, to unravel the full extent of the fraud.
As the trial progresses, the testimony of vendors and the provision of Daniel’s death certificate have added layers to the complex investigation. With Justice Ogunbanjo scheduling further cross-examination for March 20 and 21, 2024, the case continues to draw public interest, spotlighting the challenges of corruption within public institutions and the diligent work of the EFCC in seeking justice.
This case not only underscores the sophisticated methods employed in diverting public funds but also the rigorous investigative processes undertaken by the EFCC to bring perpetrators to account. As the judiciary deliberates on the evidence presented, the outcome of this trial could have significant implications for the fight against corruption in Nigeria, reaffirming the nation’s commitment to upholding integrity and transparency in public service.
