Medical Doctor, Geraldine Orok Ita Jailed For N127m Fraud

A Federal High Court in Calabar, Cross River State, has convicted and sentenced Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita to seven years in prison for fraud and forgery.

The prosecution, led by the Uyo Directorate of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), charged Ita on 12 counts, involving the diversion of funds totaling N127,686,594.87 and the forgery of documents to benefit herself and her companies.

One of the charges against Ita states: “That you, Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita, on or about the 6th day of November, 2014, in Calabar, did make a forged document (Form CAC 10 – Annual Return for a Small Company) in respect of Sharpnet Concept Limited, purported to have been signed by Mrs. Rose Orok Ita (a director of Sharpnet Concept Limited), with the intent for it to be acted upon as genuine.”

Another charge reads: “That you, Dr. Geraldine Orok Ita, on or about 14/02/2019, in Calabar, took possession of Forty-Five Million Naira (₦45,000,000) through a bank account, knowing that the funds were part of the proceeds of crime related to forgery and fraud.”

Despite pleading “not guilty” to the charges, Ita’s trial, which began in 2019, led to the presentation of several key pieces of evidence and witnesses. The court was convinced that the prosecution had proven its case beyond reasonable doubt.

In delivering the judgment, Justice Rosemary Oghogho-rie emphasized the gravity of Ita’s actions and sentenced her to seven years in prison.

The case stemmed from a petition filed by directors of Sharpnet Concept Limited and ROK Project Limited, alleging that Ita had forged documents to remove the original directors and claim ownership of the companies. Ita also allegedly altered the registered address of the companies, and re-allotted shares in her favor, while falsely claiming to be the second wife of Engr. Orok Okonkon Ita, who died in 2004.