Alleged $200,000 Corrupt Offers: Shasore's Trial Begins June 20

Justice Mojisola Dada of an Ikeja Special Offences Court, today, set aside June 20, 2023, as the day for trial to commence in the alleged $200,000 corrupt offers charge slammed against the former Attorney General, AG, of Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore, SAN.

The judge gave the date consequent upon the disagreement over the service of documents from the prosecution to the defence.

On October 21, 2022, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, arraigned the former AG on a two-count charge bordering on corrupt offers. 

The former AG had pleaded not guilty to the charge as made against him by the anti-graft agency.

While proceedings lasted on the criminal case, Justice Dada had adjourned the matter after the lead defence counsel, Chijioke Okoli, SAN, sought the adjournment of the case pending the sorting out of the issue as it relates to the disputed documents.

The senior lawyer had notified the court that the defence filed an application dated December 2, 2022, to seek an adjournment on the reason that the defence needed more documents from the prosecution to defend their case.

But counsel to the Commission, Bala Sanga, told the judge that he was ready to proceed with the trial as that was the business of the day.

Justice Dada, however, granted the prayer of the defence and adjourned until today.

Appearing before the judge, Shasore's lawyer, and Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Muiz Banire, informed the court that the prosecutor is yet to oblige them with the documents they had requested at the last adjourned date.

The SAN further contended that the defence would need those documents to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to entertain the charge.

However, in a counter-response, the lawyer for the prosecution, Sanga, notified the court that they have served the defence with the requested document while showing the court the proof of service.

Justice Dada, who confirmed that the proof of service was not in the court's file, urged the prosecution to file an affidavit of service.

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