Justice Chuka Obiozor of Federal high court Lagos on Thursday disqualifies himself from handling the N1.8bn criminal charge preferred against the embattled president of Nigeria Barr Association Mr Paul Usoro SAN.
Tribune Online recalls that Usorowas dragged before the court last year by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
However, at Thursday’s proceedings, the Judge announced that he could no longer handle the case for personal reasons.
” For personal reasons, I hereby disqualify myself from handling this case. I hereby return this file back to the chief judge of Federal high court for reassignment,” the Judge said.
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According to the EFCC, Usoro converted and laundered the money in connivance with the Governor of his state, Governor Udom Emmanuel of Akwa Ibom State.
Emmanuel was however not listed as a defendant in the charge, as the EFCC indicated that he is “currently constitutionally immune against criminal prosecution”.
Also mentioned in the body of the charges were one Nsikan Nkan, described as Commissioner for Finance, Akwa Ibom State; one Mfon Udomah, described as the Accountant General of Akwa Ibom State; one Uwemedimo Nwoko, described as the Akwa Ibom State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice; and Margaret Ukpe, all of whom were said to be at large.
The EFCC claimed that Usoro in connivance with the others mentioned conspired among themselves to commit the offence sometime in 2015 “within the jurisdiction of this honourable court”.
The anti-graft agency claimed that the N1.4bn allegedly converted and laundered by the defendants belonged to the Akwa Ibom State Government
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