N2bn fraud trial: EFCC to appeal Oronsaye’s acquittal

Glory Ebomah 

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, will appeal the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, which on Monday, June 6, 2023, acquitted a former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, HoS, Mr Stephen Oronsaye of the N2bn money laundering charge brought against him and others by the commission. 

In dismissing the charge, Justice Inyang Ekwo held that the commission failed to establish the charges against the defendants. 

However, the commission believes the trial judge erred by overlooking the evidence of the 21 witnesses called by the prosecution during the trial as well as the confessional statement of one of the defendants, Osarenkhoe Afe. It has, therefore, decided to challenge the judgment at the Court of Appeal. 

Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Wilson Uwujaren, said Oronsaye’s corruption trial commenced in 2015 when he was docked alongside the Managing Director of Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Mr Osarenkhoe Afe and three companies- Cluster Logistic Limited; Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited. 

The 1st and 2nd defendants, between 2010 and 2011, used the companies as vehicles to siphon public funds to the tune of N2 billion through contract fraud. 

They were prosecuted on an amended charge of 27 counts.