Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, on Thursday, dismissed an application filed by Akwa Ibom State Governor, Emmanuel Udom, seeking to quash the entire charge preferred against Paul Usoro, SAN, President, Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.

Usoro was charged alongside Udom and others in a case of money laundering to the tune of N1.4 billion, belonging to the Akwa Ibom State government.

The NBA President was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan of the same court on December 18, 2018.

He was later re-arraigned before Justice Aikawa on a 10- count charge.

One of the counts reads: “That you, Paul Usoro, SAN, Emmanuel Udom (currently constitutionally immune against criminal prosecution), Uwemedimo Thomas Nwoko (still at large), Nsikan Linus Nkan, Commissioner of Finance, Akwa Ibom State (still at large), Mfon Jacobson Udomah, Accountant-General, Akwa Ibom State (still at large) and Margaret Thompson Ukpe (still at large) sometime in 2015 in Nigerian, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable court, conspired amongst yourselves to commit an offence, to wit: conversion of the sum of N1,410,000,000, 000.00 property of the Government of Akwa Ibom State of Nigeria, which sum you reasonably ought to have known forms part of the proceeds of an unlawful activity to wit: criminal breach of trust and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.”

At today’s sitting, Justice Aikawa, in his ruling, held that the application filed by Udom lacked merit due to the fact that the charge before the court did not include the Governor and his aides as defendants.

The Judge held that “In a criminal suit, there are two segments: the complainant and the defendant(s).

“In this charge before me, the complainant is the EFCC and the defendant is Paul Usoro.

“Given the fact that the name of the applicant was mentioned in counts one to four does not make him a defendant in this case.

“It is also unconstitutional for the Federal Government to investigate and prosecute a serving governor. Gov. Udom cannot be charged in view of the immunity he enjoys, including his aides, and also due to the fact that the N1.4 billion were funds belonging to Akwa Ibom State and not Federal Government.”

The Judge further held that the applicant could not apply to the court to quash the charge or seek fair hearing as prayed in the application because he is not a defendant in the case.

Justice Aikawa adjourned the case to June 3, 2019 for continuation of trial.
https://thickmatch.com/akwa-ibom-gov-emmanuel-loses-efcc/

Justice must prevail.

Jail awaits you after your tenure ends

Stealing in billions..... whilst the masses starve.

Chai. This is not about Udom, this is about Paul Usoro the number 1 lawyer in Nigeria.

The Efcc would drag the head of the NBA like generator rope just because of misdeeds before he became NBA President.

Next level agenda. They all can't wait to see

Damsyjay:
Jail awaits you after your tenure ends

Udom is not a defendant in the case because he's constitutional immune. Please lets learn to read

Damsyjay:
Jail awaits you after your tenure ends

In Nigeria?

EFCC as an agency is nothing but a joke, a very beautiful one for that matter.

Damsyjay:
Jail awaits you after your tenure ends

Same was said about Fayose and how he would be rotting in prison by now...

But he is free!

Zombies are useless noisemakers!

Fate of the Fulani asslickers

Keke for sale in port Harcourt
Check my signature for contact details

Ok

The way these top leaders are setting bad example for us. This shows that the system is entirely corrupt

26 hours light in my estate and still counting
Ive not experienced this in a very long time

OK
Meanwhile attend this Upcoming Free Business Seminar if you crave for financial Freedom

Udom you must defend yourself we don't want thieves in our government house again its causing untold hardship and insecurities to the masses.
We the good citizens of Nigeria say NO TO CORRUPTION irrespective of your political party

N1.4BILLION paid as legal services to a lawyer?and the state citizen heard this and they are happy with the governor?and even got elected the 2nd term,na wa for naija people, that money will lift hundreds of the state indigines out of poverty instead of just a single lawyer

Waoh

Na wa ooo. I just hope EFCC is not selective.

This is why akpabio is in a dilemma,..He knows the moment he goes back to PDP, his case will be initiated....so much for fight against corruption

EFCC na wa for you o, just common #1.4 billion naira, you are shouting fraud,



That small mony , forget am na.

Na u free am abi.... So because he was granted bail means he is now a free man.

SMH

prince3009:


Same was said about Fayose and how he would be rotting in prison by now...

But he is free!

Zombies are useless noisemakers!