Admin l Friday, July 16, 2021
IKOYI, Lagos – A Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos today upheld the no-case submission filled by former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, Mr. Paul Usoro.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC had arraigned the former NBA chairman on charges of N1.4billion money laundering when he received the said fund from the Akwa Ibom State Government, under Udom Emmanuel .
Usoro had under interrogation claimed that the various sums of money received from the Akwa Ibom State Government, under the administration of Gov. Udom Emmanuel, were payments for “legal fees” to him and other “eminent members of the Inner Bar and a host of other members of the Outer Bar that he had engaged to work with him in respect of the Election Petition matter” involving the governor.”
Ruling on the matter, Justice Rilwan Aikawa discharged and acquitted Paul Usoro (SAN), of the 10 charges of N1.4billion money laundering allegation.
The judge held that the EFCC failed to establish any prima facie case against Usoro that will warrant him to enter a defense.
According to the court, the penal code, under which the NBA chieftain was charged, is not applicable to southern states, like Lagos and Akwa-Ibom, where the EFCC claimed the alleged offences were committed.
“On the whole, I hold that the prosecution has failed to establish any prima facie case. Accordingly, the defendant is hereby discharged and acquitted.”
