By Vivian Okejeme, Abuja
As a first defence witness, in his alleged money laundering case, the Former Head of Service of the Federation, Steven Oronsaye, yesterday, denied any involvement in the operation of 66 bank account said to have been operated to siphon pension funds.
Oronsaye is answering an alleged N2billion money laundering charges brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The anti graft agency also claimed that Orosanya, who is standing trial alongside others, were using inflated biometrics enrolment contracts, collective allowances and other schemes to siphon money from accounts in which pensioners funds were kept.
Testifying before the Federal High Court, Abuja, the defendant submitted that, as a Head of Service of the Federation, he knew nothing about the alleged 66 accounts.
He insisted that they are not part of his functions.
Led in evidence in chief, by his lead counsel Joe Agi SAN, the former head of service alleged that the investigation carried out by prosecution in a petition against him was poor.
He was of the opinion that if thorough investigation had been conducted, charges against him would have been unnecessary.
Further in his testimonial, Oronsaye told justice Inyang Ekwo that he ran into trouble with EFCC when he appeared before National Assembly in defense of an executive bill on EFCC at a point when the commission objected to the bill.
He claimed that after defending the bill, he was invited by EFCC and that on December 7, 2013, he honored the antigraft agency invitation during which he was confronted with all manner of allegations.
Moreover, he explained that from the day he was invited by the commission, till date, they have refused to show him a copy of the alleged petition against him.
Driving home his point, Oronsaye recalled that he had headed five special presidential committees and that through out his tenure of office, he never signed any payment mandate or have any dealings with the barreau of public procurement.
According to the defendant, contrary to EFCC’s allegation against him, only staff of the accountant general of the federation have power to sign payment mandate. He denied ever transferring any money from Union bank to Unity bank.
On the alleged abuse of the threshold of contracts sum, Oronsaye explained that there was a presidential approval adding that EFCC’s investigation into the issue was not thorough, noting that if a proper investigation had been conducted it would have revealed a presidential approval.
During his defense several documents including circular on contracts threshold signed by Ahmed Yayale, EFCC’s interim investigation report on alleged conspiracy, and diversion of public funds, the proceedings and judgment of justice Abang in the case of jailed former Pension task force chairman, Abdulrasheed Maina, were tendered by him and admitted as exhibits.
Justice Inyang Ekwo, adjourned till May 24,25 and 26 for continuation of defense and for EFCC to cross examine the witness.
