Docked HoS Oronsaye opens defence in December

Ex-Head of Civil Service Steve Oronsaye will on December 9 open his defence in the N190 million fraud case filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Oronsaye is being prosecuted for breach of trust by diverting N190 million when he was Chairman, Presidential Taskforce on Anti-terrorism Financing, set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday before Justice Olasumbo Goodluck of the FCT High Court, Maitama, the prosecution closed its case after calling six witnesses.

The 6th and the last prosecution witness, Hamma-Adams Bello, told the court that the investigation was approved by former EFCC boss, Ibrahim Lamorde, following receipt of two petitions against the defendant.

During cross examination by Ade Okeaya-Inneh, counsel to Mr. Oronsaye, Mr. Bello said that the petitioners were anonymous and their addresses were not clearly stated and as such could not be located.

He, however, said that in spite of that, the petitions were investigated and two bank accounts were found to be opened in the name of the committee, one in Zenith Bank and the other in Access Bank.

The witness, however, said that while the Zenith Bank account had two signatories, the Access Bank account was solely operated by the defendant.

The witness informed the court that several lodgings were made to the Access Bank account.

He, however, said there was no direct payment from the account into the personal account of the defendant.

The witness also admitted that the committee members did not complain about the activities of the defendant prior to EFCC investigation.

Offem Uket, who led the prosecution team, closed the prosecution’s case to allow the defence open its.

The court adjourned till December 9 for the defence to open its case