Money Laundering: AGF to review ex-Lagos attorney general Shasore’s case as court adjourns

Mr Sanga said the request for review was due to the recent judgment of a United Kingdom Court.

News Agency of Nigeria • November 24, 2023

Olasupo Shasore

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday said the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation had requested the review of the case against former Lagos attorney general Olasupo Shasore, charged with a $200 million bribe.

The EFCC counsel, Bala Sanga (SAN), informed the Ikeja Special Offences Court that there was a request from the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to review the case.

Mr Sanga said the request for review was due to the recent judgment of a United Kingdom Court.

He said the federal government had won its case against Process & Industrial Developments (P&ID) Ltd. in the UK court in October.

Mr Sanga said, “The judgment was delivered after five years of legal fireworks, which was finally given in favour of Nigeria, as the court quashed the $11 billion arbitration award in favour of P&ID.

“As a result of the judgement of the London Court, which I can call the ‘mother case,’ the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation has recalled all documents for a comprehensive review, and we have a letter to that effect.

“We, therefore, request for an adjournment as the prosecution awaits the outcome of the review.”

The lead defence counsel, Chijioke Okoli (SAN), did not raise any objection.

Justice Mojisola Dada adjourned the case until January 24, 2024 for further report.

Mr Shasore served as the attorney-general of Lagos State and the Commissioner for Justice during the tenure of former Governor Babatunde Fashola.

The embattled senior lawyer is standing trial on a two-count charge bordering on alleged bribery of public officers against him by the EFCC.

Following his arraignment on October 21, 2022, he pleaded not guilty.

EFCC alleged that Mr Shasore corruptly gave $100,000 to one Olufolakemi Adelore, the legal director of the Federal Ministry of Petroleum Resources.

The money was allegedly given for her role in the arbitration proceedings instituted by Process and Industrial Developments Ltd. (P&ID) against the ministry.

It was also alleged that the defendant corruptly gave $100,000 to one Ikechukwu Oguine, another public officer, because of his role in the arbitral proceedings instituted by P&ID against the ministry.

According to the prosecution, the alleged offences contravene section 9(1) (a) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

(NAN)

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