The Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday postponed till December 18, 2018 the arraignment of the president of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Mr. Paul Usoro who is charged with alleged N1.4 billion fraud.
The defendant, along with the governor of Akwa Ibom State, Mr. Udom Emmanuel, is alleged by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to have laundered N1.4 billion belonging to the Akwa Ibom State government.
“Indeed, the EFCC had invited Usoro in June this year, to explain his role regarding the inflow of N300 million from the Akwa Ibom State Government’s Account into the account of Paul Usoro Chambers.
“Usoro was also questioned on the aggregate inflow of N1, 110,000,000 from the state government’s account into the bank account of PUC,” the acting EFCC acting spokesman, Mr. Tony Orilade had in a statement.
The arraignment was deferred because counsel for the EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo told the court that the defendant had not been served, and consequently urged the court to adjourn the case for service to be effected.
However, Chief Wole Olanipekun leading 32 lawyers for the defence told the court his client came to court on his own despite not being served with the charge sheet.
He said the defendant was ready to accept the service of the charge sheet in the courtroom to which Oyedepo said there was no extra copy.
In his ruling, the presiding judge, Justice Muslim Hassan, postponed the case and directed the EFCC to ensure the service of the charge sheet on the defendant.
