EFCC Re-Arraigns Oronsaye, Five Others for N2bn Fraud

• Slams him with amended 35-count charge

Senator Iroegbu in Abuja

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has re-arraigned the former Head of Service to the Federation (HoS), Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, before Justice Gabriel Kolawole of a Federal High Court, Abuja, on an amended 35-count charge of stealing and obtaining money by false pretence.

The Head, Media and Publicity, EFCC, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, said that in the amended charge dated November 2, 2015, Oronsaye is being charged along with Osarenkhoe Afe, Fedrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Cluster Logistic Limitd, Kangolo Dynamic Cleaning Limited, and Drew Investment & Construction Company Limited.

Uwujaren noted that while Oronsaye and Afe, who is the managing director of Fredrick Hamilton Global Services Limited, were present in court, the other defendants were absent.

Meanwhile, the prosecuting counsel, Mr. Leke Atolagbe, while citing Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, said, “We urge your lordship to enter a plea of not guilty for the defendants who are not represented in court, in order that the trial can proceed.”

Counsel to Oronsaye, Joe Agbi (SAN), raised no objections to the application of the prosecution, neither did Oluwole Aladedoye, counsel to Afe and Fedrick Hamilton Global Services Limited.

The trial judge, while acceding to the application of the prosecution, ruled that: “In the absence of the fourth, fifth and sixth defendants, Section 478 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015 shall be applied to each of them, except if it is later shown that they were not served with the amended charges, in the interest of justice.”

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