Alleged N2bn fraud trial: EFCC discontinues cross-examination of ex-HoS, Oronsaye

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday in Abuja abruptly discontinued the cross-examination of former Head of Service of the Federation, Mr Stephen Oronsaye, in the alleged N2 billion fraud charges brought against him by the Federal Government.

Although the cross-examination was slated to extract facts and ingredients to establish the alleged fraud, EFCC made a dramatic u-turn at the Federal High Court with an announcement that it would no longer continue to cross-examine the defendant.

At Friday’s proceedings, Oronsaye was called into the dock for the cross-examination, but Oluwaleke Atolagbe, who stood for the anti-graft agency and billed to conduct the cross-examination, told Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo that he would not continue.

The counsel did not give any reason for the decision.

However, answering a question from his counsel, the former Head of Service told the court that money in the Presidency’s Contingent Account is not budgetted for.

Oronsaye subsequently announced the closure of his defense in the alleged fraud charges.

Meanwhile, Justice Ekwo has fixed October 20 for the continuation of trial.

Oronsaye was arraigned alongside the Managing Director of Fedrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Mr. Osarenkhoe Afe.

Equally charged before the court by the EFCC included three companies- Cluster Logistic Limited; Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.

It was alleged that the defendants had used the firms between 2010 and 2011 and diverted public funds through procurement fraud.