A Federal Capital Territory High Court on Friday adjourned to the 7th of
February, 2017, the case between the Economic and Financial Crimes
Commission- EFCC and Nigeria’s former Head of Service, Mr. Steve Oronsaye.
The Court explained that it adjourned the case to enable the defence
counsel file the no case submission it earlier mentioned before it.
Prior to the Court’s decision to adjourn, lead defence counsel, Kanu Agabi
(SAN) expressed the readiness of his team to proceed with the filing of
the “no case submission” to enable the matter continue same day, an
argument the Court did not consider.
“The document is ready and we are ready to file, if the Court would grant
us some time. It would not take much time to be filed, even though it is
voluminous.”
Responding, prosecution Counsel, I.O. Uket expressed willingness to abide
by the decision of the Court on the submission of the defence Counsel.
In her ruling, presiding Judge, Justice O.O. Goodluck objected to the
request of the defence counsel and held that the case be adjourned till
next year.
It would be recalled that during the last sitting, following the
announcement by the prosecution Counsel, I.O. Uket that the EFCC was not
bringing any further witnesses, thereby closing its case, lead defence
Counsel, Kanu Agabi, after a thorough cross-examination of the last
prosecution witness, Bello Hammadhama, notified the Court of the
intentions of the defence team to file a no-case submission, since the
issues raised by the prosecution were not relevant to the charges
preferred against his client.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had in March, 2016,
dragged Nigeria’s former Head of Service, Stephen Oronsaye before Justice
O.O. Goodluck of the Federal Capital Territory High Court, sitting in
Maitama, Abuja on charges bothering on alleged breach of trust while in
office as Chairman, Presidential Committee on the Financial Action
Taskforce.