The absence of Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday stalled the trial of President of the Nigerian Bar Association, (NBA), Paul Usoro, charged with alleged N1.4 billion fraud.
Usoro is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on 10 counts of fraud.
He was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan in December 2018, but the case was re-assigned to Justice Aikawa.
Usoro maintained his innocence plea after appearing before Justice Aikawa and was granted bail.
The continuation of trial which was earlier fixed for Monday has now been adjourned to February 11 following the judge’s absence.
Also mentioned in the charge is the governor of Akwa Ibom, Emmanuel Udom, who is described as being “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution.”
Others mentioned are the Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General of Akwa Ibom State, Mfon Udomah; the Akwa Ibom Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko; and Margaret Ukpe.
The aforementioned names were described in the charge as being at large.
The EFCC alleged that the defendant committed the offence on May 14, 2016.
The commission said that the said money belonged to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
The defendant was alleged to have conspired to convert the said sum, which he reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity.
The prosecution said the unlawful activity include criminal breach of trust which contravenes the provisions of section 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
