The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has revealed its plans to challenge the judgment of the Federal High Court Abuja, which acquitted Steve Oronsaye, former Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, of a N2bn money laundering charge along with others brought against him by the EFCC.
The EFCC claimed the trial judge, Justice Inyang Ekwo, made a mistake by ignoring evidence from 21 witnesses and a confessional statement of one of the defendants, Osarenkhoe Afe.
The statement further revealed that the Commission intends to file an appeal at the Court of Appeal.
In 2015, Oronsaye went on trial for corruption alongside Osarenkhoe Afe, the Managing Director of Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, as well as Cluster Logistic Limited, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.
The EFCC accused them of using various schemes, including procurement fraud and inflated biometric enrolment contracts, to divert public funds and siphon money from pensioners’ accounts between 2010 and 2011.
However, Justice Ekwo determined that the EFCC had not provided sufficient evidence to establish the alleged charges against Oronsaye.
Justice Ekwo on the basis of this, discharged and acquitted Oransaye
