Oyo-Ita resumes work as Buhari backs her saying she is being unfairly victimised

EMBATTLED head of service of the federation Winifred Oyo-Ita has resumed work in Abuja amid signs that her travails are now over as President Muhammadu Buhari has come to her defence saying she was being unfairly victimised.

Last week, Mrs Winifred Ekanem Oyo-Ita was admitted to hospital after she collapsed during interrogation at the hands of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) over a N3bn ($8,236,770) contract scam. She had been in detention for four days where she was being questioned over the abuse of duty tour allowance, money laundering and the stealing of government funds.

About N600m had been traced to the account of one of Mrs Oyo-Ita's key aides who has been unable to give any justifiable explanation for the money. Consequently, the EFCC decided to block the account and has initiated the process of obtaining an interim forfeiture clause to seize the cash.

Earlier this week, it was reported that Mrs Oyo-Ita subsequently submitted her retirement due to the trauma letter but the presidency has denied receiving it. In an indication that she has official backing, Mrs Oyo-Ita was present at the swearing-in of ministers yesterday and today, she has resumed full duties in her office.

Apparently, President Buhari rejected her retirement letter, noting that she was being victimised unnecessarily. Last year, Mrs Oyo-Ita and President Buhari's chief of staff Abba Kyari were involved in a very public spat but it is not yet clear if this is behind her recent travails.