THE Federal High Court, Lagos, on Friday arraigned the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro and ordered the arrest of four Akwa Ibom State government officials on counts of conspiracy and illegal conversion of Akwa Ibom state property for personal use.
Justice Rilwan Aikawa issued a bench warrant at the prompting of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, who explained to the court that the defendants are at large and the warrant was necessary to ensure their presence in court at the next adjourned date of March 18 and 19.
The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, is set to answer to the 10-count charge bordering on conspiracy and conversion of an alleged N1.4bn said to be the property of the state government, which sum they reasonably ought to have known formed part of the proceeds of unlawful activity.
Justice Aikawa also ordered for the arrest of the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko, the Commissioner of Finance, Nsikan Nkan, the Accountant General, Mfon Udomah and a Cashier of the State Govt, Margaret Ukpe.
Usoro had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.
The court admitted him to bail in the sum of N250 million with one surety in like sum.
Amos Abba is a journalist with the International Center for Investigative Reporting, ICIR, who believes that courageous investigative reporting is the key to social justice and accountability in the society.