Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of a Federal High Court Lagos has adjourned the trial of a former Attorney General of Lagos State, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, until October 4, for a hearing.
The defendant was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on October 20, 2022, on four counts charge of money laundering.
He had pleaded not guilty to the charge and was admitted to bail in the sum of N50 million with one surety in like sum.
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, Mr. Bala Sanga announced an appearance for the prosecution while Mr. 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 the hearing of the application.
Akoni told the court that the recent event showed the possibility of an amicable resolution of the matter, saying that a similar case was also pending before the Lagos High Court in Ikeja.
He, therefore, requested an adjournment to enable parties succinctly exhaust discussions and reach an agreement on the matter.
The prosecution counsel, who confirmed Akoni’s submission, did not object to his plea for adjournment.
Consequently, Aneke, acquiesced to Akoni’s request and adjourned the matter to Oct.4 for hearing.
In the charge, the former AG was alleged to have made a cash payment of 100,000 dollars to one Olufolakemi Adelore through one Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.
He was alleged to have committed the offenses on or about November 18, 2014.
EFCC also alleged that the defendant made a cash payment of 100,000 dollars to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.
The offenses, 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).
