Former Head of Service granted bail

Justice Gabriel Kolawole of the Federal High Court, Abuja, granted Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, Former Head of Service of the Federation bail on self recognition.

Justice Kolawole based his decision on the fact that documents before him shows that Mr. Ken Nnamani, a former Senate President, agreed to stand as a surety for the accused person.

Adding that the offences listed in the charge sheet against the accused, is prima-facie bailable.

Justice Kolawole also said “It does not matter as to the amount of public funds purportedly stolen, misapplied or mismanaged. The 1st defendant in my view does not pose a flight risk.”

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), through its Lawyer, Mr. Rotimi Jacobs SAN, said they were not pleased by the Judge’s decision to release the accused persons, before their bail requests were heard.

The second accused person, Mr. Osarenkhoe Afe was also granted bail with a condition to pay the sum of N50 million with two sureties in like sum, one of the which must be a serving civil or public servant, or must have retired at grade level 16.

You will recall that the EFCC charged Mr Stephen Oronsaye to court, on a 24-count charge of fraud and money laundering amounting to N1.9 billion when he was Head of Service between 2009 and 2010.