Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a former Lagos State Attorney-General (AG) and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Olasupo Shasore, SAN, for alleged laundering of $200,000.
Shasore, who served as AG during the administration of ex-Governor Babatunde Fashola, was brought before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke and confronted with a four-count charge marked FHC/L/447C/2022.
The charge, seen by The Nation, was dated August 12, 2022, but filed at 1:30pm on August 18.
In it, the EFCC claimed that Shasore committed the offence on or about November 18, 2014.
The anti-graft agency claimed in the charge that the defendant induced a former legal director at the Petroleum Ministry, Olufolakemi Adelore, in accepting cash payment of the sum of $100,000 without going through a financial institution.
He was also alleged to have made a cash payment of $100,000 to Adelore through Messrs Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.
The charge added that the former Attorney-General also induced and made another cash payment of $100, 000 to Mr. Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.
The anti-graft agency said the sums exceeded the amount permitted by law.
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It added that the alleged offences contravened sections 78(c); 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and were punishable under sections 16(6) and 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.
Shasore pleaded not guilty.
His defence team led by four Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SANs), Adeyemi Candide-Johnson, Dr. Muiz Banire, Segun Ajibola and Chijioke Okoli prayed the judge to grant the defendant bail on self-recognisance.
The application was supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed by Orji Agwu Uka, a lawyer.
Prosecution counsel Bala Sanga did not oppose their request, explaining that the prosecution was only interested in the merit of the case.
Ruling, Justice Aneke admitted Shasore to bail in the sum of N50 million with two sureties in the like sum.
The judge directed that one of the sureties must be a permanent secretary or director in the Lagos State civil service.
The judge adjourned till November 24 for commencement of trial.