Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita with the Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V
The Obong of Calabar, Natural Ruler, Treaty King and Grand Patriarch of the Efik Kingdom, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, and the Muri of Efut Nation, HRM Muri (Professor) Hogan-Itam, have congratulated the former Head of Service of the Federation, Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, on her retirement from the federal civil service and her discharge and acquittal of all the 18-count charges of corruption by an Abuja High Court presided over by Justice James Omotosho.
Other eminent persons and elders that also congratulated the former Head of Service of the Federation, on her discharge and acquittal of the allegations of corruption include the Chairman of Davandy Group, Etinyin Asuquo Ekpenyong OON, and octogenarian and elder stateswoman, Elder Chief Mrs. Christie Ise; renown architect and statesman, Etubom Bassey Ndem, and distinguished surveyor, Surveyor Akamkpo Aniyom.
The Obong of Calabar, His Eminence, Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, praised Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, who had gone to pay a courtesy visit to the Obong in Council at his palace in Calabar, for making the Efik kingdom proud in her impeccable service to Nigeria.
Edidem Ekpo Okon Abasi Otu V, noted that Oyo-Ita’s service to the federal government has been marked with sacrifices, accountability, integrity and loyalty.
The Obong prayed for God’s blessings on her and her family and wished her well in her future endeavours.
The Muri of Efut Nation, Muri (Professor) Itam Hogan-Itam, expressed delight and excitement over the news of the vindication and acquittal by a court of competent jurisdiction.
Muri Prof. Hogan-Itam attributed the positive outcome of the matter to the doing of God Almighty, joyfully thanking God for his divine intervention.
Receiving Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita who had gone to thank him for standing by her throughout the period of her ordeal, the monarch said Oyo-Ita has an unimpeachable reputation and would always vouch for her character and integrity.
The Muri noted that he and some leaders addressed a press conference in defence of Mrs. Oyo-Ita in 2019 when they first pressed the charges against her because “I was 100 per cent sure that she was blameless and that was why I hosted the press conference to debunk the allegations in 2019 without even consulting her”.
He said the “royalty in her would not have permitted her to commit fraud. Moreso, her father who himself was a senior director in the federal service was known to be a strict disciplinarian who brought up his children in the fear of God, couldn’t have made her to commit fraud”
The Chairman of the Davandy Group, Etinyin Elder (Dr.) Asuquo Ekpenyong CON, also expressed appreciation to God for vindicating Mrs. Winifred Oyo-Ita, saying “from the beginning, I knew you were innocent”
The elder statesman also said he had absolute confidence in her character and integrity and therefore didn’t hesitate to rush to Abuja for intervention as soon as he heard about the matter in 2019.
He said that he knew that it was a matter of time before the case will be ruled in the favour of Oyo-Ita because “we know our daughter is well brought up by her parents.”
An elder stateswoman, Elder Chief Mrs. Christie Ise, also said she was shocked when, in 2019, she heard of the accusation because she had known Winifred Oyo-Ita as a disciplined and upright child right from her childhood.
Chief Mrs. Ise said she took to prayers for divine intervention throughout the six years that the matter lasted, expressing profound gratitude to God for the eventual positive end of the matter.
The octogenarian said her joy knew no bounds when, two weeks ago, the news of her discharge and acquittal was announced.
Renown architect and Chairman, micro-MEGA Ltd, Etubom Bassey Eyo Ndem, revealed that he was praying for a fair judicial hearing and with the outcome of the judgement, his confidence in the judiciary has been buoyed up.
Etubom Ndem said the Efiks that Winifred Oyo-Ita is a proud scion of, are proud of their heritage and would not do anything to tarnish their image.
“It is not part of our culture in Efik Kingdom to touch government money. We live a life of contentment”, Etubom Ndem added.
Acclaimed surveyor, Surveyor Akamkpo Aniyom, expressed thanksgiving to God Almighty who alone had delivered Mrs. Oyo-Ita from the jaws of the devil.
Surveyor Aniyom assured Mrs. Oyo-Ita that God allowed her to go through these travails for a purpose, and that purpose will soon be revealed.
The Former Deputy Governor of Cross River State, Prof Ivara Esu, congratulated her on this vindication, emphasising that he believed all the while that the matter lasted, that she would be found guiltless of all the charges.
He recalled how Mrs. Oyo-Ita displayed transparency and accountability as the MD of the Cross River Estates Limited, Akamkpa, when he was Commissioner of Agriculture in 1993.
Hon. Justice Charles Archibong rtd. expressed delight that the legal matter has finally been resolved and Mrs. Oyo-Ita cleared of all the 18-count charges.
He acknowledged that Mrs. Oyo-Ita’s experience is part of the sacrifices she paid as a patriot, and charged her to continue believing in Nigeria in spite of the ordeal she has been through.
Elder Chief Gershom Davis FCA, a scion of the firm of Peat Marwick, Ani, Ogunde & Co (now KPMG) who trained Mrs. Oyo-Ita as a Chartered Accountant revealed that he had confidence in God that she would be vindicated, and so he and his family kept praying for a quick resolution of the matter in her favour.