A Federal
Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Maitama, has adjourned till May 4,
ruling on the no-case submission by former Head of Service of the
Federation Steve Oronsaye.
The judge, Olasumbo Goodluck, adjourned the case after listening to submissions by counsel in the matter.
Oronsaye, who chaired, Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan, was arraigned for breach of trust and diversion of the committee’s N190 million.
The prosecution called six witnesses to prove its case and closed its argument on November 15.
On December 9, the defence filed a no-case submission on the grounds that the prosecution had no case against the defendant.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, the defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, argued that there were omissions of essential elements in the charges against his client.
He said on that account, the charges were imperfect.
Agabi said the charge was initially two counts, later amended to seven, explaining it was a sign something was wrong with the charge from the beginning.
He said the prosecution failed to specify the amount entrusted to the defendant, nor the mandate of the committee the defendant chaired.
Agabi said the prosecution did not prove the offence to warrant the defendant to enter defence. He, therefore, urged the court to grant his no-case submission.
But the prosecuting counsel, Offem Uket, told the court the prosecution proved its case.
Uket said it was not right to bring up the issue of imperfection of charges now, as it was against sections 220 and 221 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015.
He said there was a prima facie case against the defendant and urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission.
Nation
The judge, Olasumbo Goodluck, adjourned the case after listening to submissions by counsel in the matter.
Oronsaye, who chaired, Presidential Committee on Financial Action Task Force set up by former President Goodluck Jonathan, was arraigned for breach of trust and diversion of the committee’s N190 million.
The prosecution called six witnesses to prove its case and closed its argument on November 15.
On December 9, the defence filed a no-case submission on the grounds that the prosecution had no case against the defendant.
At the resumed hearing yesterday, the defence counsel, Kanu Agabi, argued that there were omissions of essential elements in the charges against his client.
He said on that account, the charges were imperfect.
Agabi said the charge was initially two counts, later amended to seven, explaining it was a sign something was wrong with the charge from the beginning.
He said the prosecution failed to specify the amount entrusted to the defendant, nor the mandate of the committee the defendant chaired.
Agabi said the prosecution did not prove the offence to warrant the defendant to enter defence. He, therefore, urged the court to grant his no-case submission.
But the prosecuting counsel, Offem Uket, told the court the prosecution proved its case.
Uket said it was not right to bring up the issue of imperfection of charges now, as it was against sections 220 and 221 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, (ACJA) 2015.
He said there was a prima facie case against the defendant and urged the court to dismiss the no-case submission.
Nation
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