Judge's Absence Stalls Arraignment Of Kwara Officials By EFCC.

The absence of the presiding Judge of Federal High court, Ilorin, Justice Olayinka Faji yesterday stalled the arraignment of Kwara state commissioner for Information, Prince Tunji Moronfoye and Senior Special Assistant to Governor AbdulFatah Ahmed on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs), Mr. Ope Saraki over alleged N320m scandal by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

A court registrar enter the court room at 9:00 am and announced to the parties involved in the case that the court could not sit because the judge was absent. He did not give any reason for the judge's absence.

The two cases listed were FRN vs Olatunji Oyeyemi Moronfoye suit no. FHC/IL2C/2015 and FRN vs Ope Saraki; Congent Integrated Service of Nig; Ladida Support Service suit no FHC/IL3C/ 2015.

The cases were, however, adjourned till April 23 as agreed by the court in consultation with the defense and prosecuting counsels.
Both counsel to the defence and plaintiff (EFCC), Dr. Joshua Olatoke (SAN) and Joseph Uzor respectively agreed with the new date, saying the development was not strange.

Moronfoye was a former Senior Special Adviser on Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) to ex-Governor Bukola Saraki and incumbent Commissioner for Information in the Abdulfathah Ahmed administration.
Moronfoye has been accused of offences bordering on abuse of office, awarding contracts to his cronies, embezzlement, diversion of public funds, and money laundering.

Moronfoye was specifically, alleged to have awarded contracts to the tune of over N200million for the renovation of Ijagbo Primary Health Centre and the supply of medical equipments to Health Centers and Specialist Hospitals within the state, to a company in which he has interest and was sole signatory to the account.

Ope Saraki is also alleged to have abused his office and laundered state funds for his personal benefit by awarding inflated contracts to companies owned by his cronies.