Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High sitting in Lagos has dismissed the N1.4 billion money laundering charge preferred against Mr Paul Usoro, SAN, the immediate past President of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
In his ruling on the No Case submission by Usoro through his counsel, Justice Aikawa discharged and acquitted Usoro on all the 10-count charge against him, moment the court upheld his no-case submission.
The court after the written submissions and arguments canvassed by parties, held the defence convinced the court in its no case submission, while it held that the prosecution was not able to establish any of the ingredients of the offences against the lawyer.
It would be recalled that the EFCC accused Usoro of laundering a huge sum of N1.4b, paid to his law firm by Akwa Ibom State Government for series of legal services rendered to the state.
The EFCC argued that the series of the services rendered were spurious and non existence.
To establish its case, the EFCC presented two witnesses who testified against the lawyer, while 24 exhibits were tendered.
The agency maintained that indeed, there was a case of money laundering and criminal breach of trust.
Chief Wole Olanipekun, SAN, who represented the defendant, rather than opening his defence, challenged the offences brought against the former NBA President, while he filed a no-case submission.
Olanipekun argued that there was no substance in the charges filed against his client to warrant him to open a defence in the case.
He added there was no prima facie case establish against the defendant.
He, therefore, prayed the court to dismiss the criminal charges and acquit the defendant.
Subsequently, the trial judge dismissed the charge and also discharged and acquitted the defendant.
