Lucky Obukohwo Reporting
Former Head of Service of the Federation (HoS), Stephen Oronsaye, has been discharged and acquitted of the N2 billion fraud charge filed against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in 2015.
He was arraigned alongside the Managing Director of Frederick Hamilton Global Services Limited, Osarenkhoe Afe on allegations of corruption.
They were accused of using two companies – Frederick Hamilton Global Services Limited, and Xangee Technologies Limited – for biometrics enrolment in the N2 billion fraud.
However, while ruling on the case on Monday, the court discharged and acquitted Oronsaye of the charges levelled against him by the anti-graft agency.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja in his judgment held that the prosecution failed to provide enough evidence to necessitate a conviction.
The court also held that no credible evidence was presented by the 21 witnesses called by the EFCC.
The EFCC should appeal against this judgment immediately otherwise it will be difficult to prove that they have not deliberately compromised the same
Further to the accused, they should proceed to sue the Economics and Finance Crime Commission for wrongful accusations, public ridicule, damages to their image, integrity, and reputations, and demand compensation for the damages and the violations of their human rights.
Furthermore, for transparency and equity, I think that there is a need for private prosecutors to wade into the case for the overall interest of supposed victims of the fraud and the sanity of the Country.