A Federal High Court in Lagos has adjourned the arraignment of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) president Paul Usoro over alleged N1.4billion fraud to December 18.
Justice Muslim Hassan fixed the new date on Monday to enable the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) serve Mr Usoro with the charge sheet for the alleged offences.
Usoro, who appeared in court in person with a retinue of senior lawyers, had urged the judge through his lead counsel Wole Olanipekun to direct the EFCC to serve him in court.
EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo however resisted Usoro’s request.
The anti-graft agency alleged that Usoro converted and laundered the money in connivance with Akwa Ibom State governor Udom Emmanuel.
The charge sheet however did not list Mr Emmanuel as a defendant.
The EFCC indicated that Emmanuel is “currently constitutionally immuned against criminal prosecution.”
Four defendants have been mentioned in the case.
Nsikan Nkan described as Akwa Ibom State commissioner for finance, Mfon Udomah described as Akwa Ibom State Accountant-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko described as Akwa Ibom State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, and Margaret Ukpe, all of whom are said to be at large.
The commission alleged that Usoro in connivance with the others mentioned conspired to commit the offence “sometime in 2015 within the jurisdiction of this honourable court.”
The anti-graft agency claimed that the N1.4bn belonged to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
Mr Oyedepo added that the offences were contrary to Section 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
