Photo- Udom Emmanuel and M. Buhari

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission has filed fraud charges against the Akwa Ibom governor, Emmanuel Udom, and several members of his cabinet. This is coming days after an official visit of the president’s wife Mrs Aisha Buhari to the south south state, where she predicted the Governor’s move to the ruling APC.

Mr Udom who is currently prote ted by constitutional immunity was charged in a case involving the president of the Nigeria Bar Association, Paul Usoro. Mr Usoro pleaded not guilty in a federal High Court sitting in Lagos to charges bordering on N1.4 billion fraud, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.

The EFCC preferred a 10-count charge against Mr Usoro, in a case before Justice Muslim Hassan. Others charged besides the serving Governor are: The Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General of th state, Mfon Udomah; state Attorney General, Uwemedimo Nwoko, and Margaret Ukpe.
The cabinet members are however said to be at large. In the charge marked FHC/418c/18, the antigraft agency alleged that Mr Usoro committed the offence on May 14, 2016. It alleged that Mr Usoro conspired with others to criminally convert a N1.4 billion property of Akwa Ibom government.

The prosecution said that the unlawful activity include criminal breach of trust which contravenes the provisions of section 15 (2), 15(3), and 18 (A) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011. On Tuesday, Rotimi Oyedepo, appeared for the EFCC, while WoleOlanipekun appeared with six other senior advocates for Mr Usoro. Mr Oyedepo told the court that the anti graft agency had successfully served the criminal charge on the accused on Dec. 10, and sought leave of court for the plea of accused to be taken.
In response, Mr Olanipekun confirmed service of the charge on the NBA President, but hinted the court that after it had directed that the accused be served with the charge at the last adjourned date, the accused was asked to report to the commission’s office for service.

Mr Olanipekun then informed the court that the team of defence counsel has been informed that there is already a letter written to the chief judge of the court, seeking a transfer of the case to Uyo, Abuja or any other jurisdiction of the court, apart from justice Hassan’s jurisdiction.

Based on parity of reasoning and citing diverse judicial and statutory authorities, Mr Olanipekun urged the court to await the decision of the chief justice rather than proceeding with arraignment.
In response, the prosecutor argued that the matter was adjourned until Tuesday for arraignment of the accused, adding that there is nothing before the court that can be construed as setting aside that purpose.
Referring to provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act Mr Oyedepo said that objections can only be raised after the plea of the accused had been taken.

According to him, section 9 governs the place of trial and enquiry, and requires that the charge be filed in the jurisdiction where the alleged offence took place.

In a bench ruling, Justice Hassan held: “I have listened vehemently, to the submissions of counsel, and I have also read the letter written to the CJ.
“The issue in view is narrowed down to whether the defendant can take his plea in the circumstance.”The court then ordered that Mr Usoro be handed over to a counsel of the inner bar, E.B Effiong (SAN), pending perfection of his bail terms.
He adjourned the case until February 5, March 5, and March 6, 2019 for trial; the news agency of Nigeria reported.
https://insiderpostonline./2018/12/19/efcc-files-charges-against-udom-after-aishas-prediction-of-governors-move-to-apc/

Magu is An Evidential Evidence of a JOKE!!

I look at the way these guys are making Nigeria look like a Comedy Center!


These Men are Comedians!!

Akpabio who should be used as a Case study is now a Leader...

Shame on Magu
Shame on the Evil men that have Refused Nigeria to Advance!!

You all shall Reap Accordingly

So Usoro charges the government a cumulative sum of 1.4bn from 2009 to date and he is being charged for fraud.

Who determines professional fees? Is there a regulatory body that should determine what is agreed upon by 2 parties?

This is more than a fraud case.

Btw why is EFCC not charging Gsnduje?

So EFCC can investigate and charge Udom but not Ganduje? This drama will yet come to an end and all the characters/players will be exposed for what they are.

.......and Gandollar is a free man because he's Fulani, Northerner and Muslim.....from a giant Parasitic State of Kano producing millions of Poverty stricken almajiris for the worldwide..!