EFCC opposes Oronsaye’s oral bail application

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission opposed a bail application made on behalf of a former Head of Service of the Federal Government, Mr. Stephen Oronsaye, after his arraignment before a Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday.

Oronsaye’s counsel, Chief Kanu Agabi (SAN), and that of the co-accused person, Oluwole Aladedoye, made an oral application, asking the court to release their clients on bail.

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Agabi argued that under the new Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, an accused person was entitled to bail and oral application.

But EFCC’s prosecutor, Mr. Aliyu Yussuf, argued that oral application for bail was not permitted in view of the provisions of section 162 of the ACJA.

He said bail could only be granted judicially and judiciously and based on materials in the form of affidavit evidence placed before the court.

Yussuf asked the court to remand the accused persons to prison and sought an adjournment till Wednesday to enable him to respond to the written bail applications filed by the defence.

The proceedings are ongoing.