Money laundering charges, Oyo-Ita’s vindication inevitable as Ex HOS rejoices over freedom – Aide

By David Odama

Former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Winifred Oyo-Ita’s discharge and acquitted of alleged money laundering by the Federal High Court in Abuja, has been described as vindication well deserved.

In a statement issued by her media aide, Ofem Uket, Oyo-Ita expressed gratitude to God for her vindication, stating that her eventual acquittal affirmed her long-standing position on the matter.

The statement also highlighted her contributions to public service reform during her tenure, describing her as one of the most impactful Heads of the Civil Service in Nigeria’s history.

According to statement, reforms implemented under her leadership between 2018 and 2019, particularly through the Integrated Payroll and Personnel Information System (IPPIS), led to savings exceeding N288 billion by eliminating payroll irregularities and reducing leakages.

Uket noted that Oyo-Ita played a critical role in the removal of ghost workers from the federal civil service, a move that significantly curtailed waste and improved efficiency.

Her administration also introduced the Asset Tracking Management Project (ATMP), designed to monitor and manage government assets, as well as the Presidential Initiative on Continuous Audit (PICA), which reportedly saved over N208.4 billion through payroll audits.

Beyond financial reforms, Oyo-Ita spearheaded the Federal Civil Service Strategy and Implementation Plan (FCSSIP), a comprehensive framework aimed at modernising operations, strengthening accountability, and enhancing service delivery across ministries and agencies.

She also championed the “EPIC” culture promoting an Efficient, Productive, Incorruptible, and Citizen-Centred civil service which became a guiding principle during her tenure.

Uket noted her push for digital transformation within the public sector, including the introduction of Enterprise Content Management (ECM) systems and the digitisation of personnel records, laying the groundwork for improved human resource management under IPPIS.

In addition, over 1,000 civil servants were trained across various sectors within three years, while the Public Service Institute of Nigeria (PSIN) was upgraded with improved facilities to support capacity building.

To enhance motivation, Oyo-Ita introduced a Reward and Recognition Policy for outstanding civil servants and supported the establishment of the Efficiency Unit in the Ministry of Finance to curb wasteful spending.

Her tenure also prioritised staff welfare through the Federal Integrated Staff Housing (FISH) programme, aimed at addressing housing challenges faced by civil servants.

The court ruling marks a significant turning point for Oyo-Ita, closing a chapter that has lingered since her arraignment and reaffirming her legacy in Nigeria’s public service reform efforts.