Alleged Money Laundering: Am Not Guilty, Former Lagos AG, Shasore Tells Court

The former Lagos State Attorney-General, Olasupo Shasore (SAN) on Thursday told Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos, that he is not guilty of the money laundering charge made against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He stated this after being arraigned by the anti-graft agency on a four counts charge bordering on the offence.

The Commission had docked the former Attorney-General for allegedly inducing one Olufolakemi Adelore, in accepting cash payment of a sum to the tune of $100,000.00, without going through a financial institution.

The SAN was equally alleged to have made a cash payment of a sum to the tune of $100,000.00 to Olufolakemi Adelore, through Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin. 

The EFCC also accused Shasore of making a cash payment of the sum of $100,000.00, to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution, a sum the Commission said exceeded the amount permitted by law.

In his submission before Justice Aneke, the prosecution, led by Bala Zanga, posited that the offence contravenes Sections 78 (c); 1 (a) and 16 (1) (d) and 18 (c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (6) and 16 (2) (b) of the same Act.

However, consequent upon Shasore’s not-guilty plea, his counsels, Charles Adeyemi Candide-Johnson and Dr Muiz Banire both Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs) urged the court to allow their client to bail on self-recognition.

The senior lawyers equally told the judge that their client is not a flight risk, with an addition that even when he was released after interrogation in January this year, he ‘was not a flight risk’.

Delivering his ruling on Shasore’s bail application, Justice Aneke after citing a plethora of legal authorities granted the SAN bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

Justice Aneke also ordered that the surety must be a Director or Permanent Secretary in the government establishment.

The court further directed that the defendant’s travelling passport with the EFCC be transferred to the court’s Deputy Registrar (DCR).

In adjourning the case until November 24, 2022, for trial, Justice Aneke released Shasore to his lead counsel, Candide-Johnson (SAN) until the perfection of his bail terms.

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