Money laundering: Court adjourns ex-Lagos Attorney General trial to Oct 4

A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos has adjourned the trial of a former Attorney General of Lagos State, Olasupo Shasore, until October 4, 2023, for hearing.

Shasore was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 20, 2022, on four counts charge of money laundering.

In the charge, the former Attorney General was alleged to have made a cash payment of $100,000 to one Olufolakemi Adelore through one Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.

He was alleged to have committed the offences on or about November 18, 2014.

EFCC also alleged that the defendant made a cash payment of $100,000 to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.

The offences, the anti-graft agency said contravene the provisions of sections 1(a) 16(1)(d), 18(c), and 78(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended).

The former Attorney General, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.

READ ALSO: EFCC arraigns former Lagos Attorney General

Shasore served as the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, during former Governor Babatunde Fashola’s tenure.

At the resumed hearing on Tuesday, June 27, Bala Sanga announced an appearance for the prosecution, while Olawale Akoni (SAN) announced an appearance for the defendant.

Akoni told the court that the matter for the day was for hearing of their application dated and filed February 17.

He, however, told the court that there were some developments in the matter, which might affect hearing of the application.

Akoni told the court that the recent event showed the possibility of amicable resolution of matter, saying that a similar case was also pending before the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

He, therefore, requested an adjournment to enable parties succinctly exhaust discussions and reach agreement in the matter’s discussions.

The prosecution counsel, who confirmed Akoni’s submission, did not object to his plea for adjournment.

The presiding judge, Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke, later acquiesced to Akoni’s request and adjourned the matter to October 4 for hearing.

The Star