How ex-NBA President, Usoro received N1.1bn from Akwa Ibom govt - EFCC witness
Thompson Nsisongabasi
Dec 04, 2020
Abdulrahman Arabo, the second prosecution witness (PW2) in the trial of Paul Usoro (SAN) over alleged N1.4bn fraud, has informed Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, how the defendant received N1.1 billion from Akwa-Ibom State government.
READ ALSO: "Ikwuano Locked Down For Alex Otti" - Monday Ubani SAN Sends Strong Message To Opposition
Usoro is the immediate past President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
READ ALSO: Ofuji Ndị Igbo Sets 2026 Agenda, Promises Greater Community Engagement
He was first arraigned on December 18, 2018, before Justice Muslim Hassan of the same court.
READ ALSO: Why We Cannot Proscribe Bandits In Nigeria - Lai Mohammed | SEE REASONS
Usoro was later re-arraigned on March 1, 2019, on a 10-count charge on money laundering to the tune of N1.4billion.
According to the EFCC, Usoro, Governor Emmanuel Udom (currently immune against prosecution), and Uwemedimo Thomas Nwoko, Nsikan Linus Nkan - Commissioner of Finance, Mfon Jacobson Udomah - Accountant-General, Margaret Thompson Ukpe (all four at large), in 2015, conspired to divert N1,410, 000,000 state funds.
READ ALSO: 'You want to wreck our party, cripple opposition politics' - PDP Northern Elders to Wike
The offence was contrary to Section 18(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same Act.
READ ALSO: How a Catholic Priest Slumped and Died While Delivering Homily in Delta Church
Usoro pleaded "not guilty" to the charge.
READ ALSO: Popular porn star arrested for filming 'se.x movie' inside Osun grove
Arabo, an EFCC investigator, told the prosecution counsel, U. U. Buhari, that the defendant failed to link the money found in his account to the cases he claimed was handed in courts for Akwa Ibom.
READ ALSO: AFN AWARD: CRUNCHIES, DE- CHOICE, HOEFFERS, APPLES BATTLE FOR BEST FAST FOOD OUTLET IN ABIA
When asked by the defence counsel, O. E. B Effiong (SAN) if he received any letter Usoro addressed to EFCC Chairman stating the details and payment of the job he did for the State government, Arabo answered in the affirmative.
READ ALSO: 16 Governors Move To Dismantle EFCC, As Supreme Court Set Date For Hearing | READ WHY
Arabo said there was an allegation "that the defendant was laundering money for the Akwa-Ibom State government, and the evidence showed that he received about N1.1billion between 2015 and 2016 from the state government".
READ ALSO: Mother's Day: Abia Government Liaison Officer Honours Women, Says Mothers Shape Future Leaders
Court hearing on the case continues.
READ ALSO: Bloodbath At Wedding: Bandits Kill 13, Abduct Many In Midnight Attack In Kaduna Community
SOURCE
Related Stories
Bloodbath At Wedding: Bandits Kill 13, Abduct Many In Midnight Attack In Kaduna Community
"Ikwuano Locked Down For Alex Otti" - Monday Ubani SAN Sends Strong Message To Opposition
Mother's Day: Abia Government Liaison Officer Honours Women, Says Mothers Shape Future Leaders
Why ICPC Is Prosecuting Mike Ozekhome Over a London Property Deal That Has Shaken Nigeria's Legal Circle | READ DETAILS
Ofuji Ndị Igbo Sets 2026 Agenda, Promises Greater Community Engagement
How a Catholic Priest Slumped and Died While Delivering Homily in Delta Church
""
— Thompson Nsisongabasi