Alleged N1.4bn Fraud: Again, Court Adjourns NBA President’s Trial

A Federal High Court Lagos, yesterday, further adjourned hearing in the alleged N1.4billion fraud case filed against President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Barrister Paul Usoro,
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had charged Usoro before Justice Rilwan Aikawa on 10 counts bordering fraud.
He was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan in December, 2018, but the case was re-assigned to Justice Rilwan Aikawa.
Usoro had pleaded not guilty to the charges before Hassan, and also maintained his not guilty plea before Aikawa, and was granted bail.
The continuation of trial, which was earlier fixed for yesterday, has now been further adjourned, as Justice Aikawa did not sit.
A new date, however, is yet to be fixed for continuation of trial.
Also mentioned in the charge, is the incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Emmanuel Udom, who is described as being “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution”.
Others mentioned are: the Akwa Ibom Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah; the Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko; who the EFCC alleged are at large.
In the charge marked FHC/418c/18, the anti graft agency alleged that the defendant committed the offence on May 14, 2016.
Usoro was alleged to have conspired with others to commit the offence within the jurisdiction of the court.
The commission said that the N1.4billion 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.

Nneka Amaechi-Nnadi, Abuja