EFCC's N1.4 billion fraud case against NBA president in Lagos adjourned
Mon Dec 10, 2018 03:08:pm National
4.1K By Obiaks Blog
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos, has ajourned the arraignment of the President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr Paul Usoro, on allegations of fraud brought against by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commision (EFCC).
The case was adjourned on Monday(today) to December 18, 2018 after the defence team led by a former president of the NBA and a Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun told the court the his client had not been served with the charge sheet.
Olanipekun added that his client was ready to accept the service of the charge sheet in the courtroom but the counsel for the EFCC Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court he was in no position to serve the charge sheet on Usoro, as the EFCC investigative officer in the case --absent in court-- was in possession of the charge sheet.
Justice Muslim Hassan, the presiding judge, on the basis shifted the case to December 18, and ordered that the anti-graft bosy ensure Usoro was served with the charge sheet.
Last week Wednesday, the EFCC had filed a 10 count of fraudulent conversion of N1.4bn against the President of NBA.
In the first count, the EFCC alleges that Mr Usoro, Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State (who currently enjoys constitutional immunity against criminal prosecution), the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for finance, Nsikan Nkan, the Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe, all of whom were said to be at large, conspired in 2015 to convert the sum of N1.4bn property of the Akwa Ibom State Government which they ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of crime.
The EFCC Counsel who signed the charge sheet, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said the offences are contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Additional information from PunchNG
The case was adjourned on Monday(today) to December 18, 2018 after the defence team led by a former president of the NBA and a Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Wole Olanipekun told the court the his client had not been served with the charge sheet.
Olanipekun added that his client was ready to accept the service of the charge sheet in the courtroom but the counsel for the EFCC Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, told the court he was in no position to serve the charge sheet on Usoro, as the EFCC investigative officer in the case --absent in court-- was in possession of the charge sheet.
Justice Muslim Hassan, the presiding judge, on the basis shifted the case to December 18, and ordered that the anti-graft bosy ensure Usoro was served with the charge sheet.
Last week Wednesday, the EFCC had filed a 10 count of fraudulent conversion of N1.4bn against the President of NBA.
In the first count, the EFCC alleges that Mr Usoro, Gov. Emmanuel Udom of Akwa Ibom State (who currently enjoys constitutional immunity against criminal prosecution), the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for finance, Nsikan Nkan, the Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe, all of whom were said to be at large, conspired in 2015 to convert the sum of N1.4bn property of the Akwa Ibom State Government which they ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of crime.
The EFCC Counsel who signed the charge sheet, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, said the offences are contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
Additional information from PunchNG
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