A Federal High Court on Wednesday varied the bail conditions of embattled Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Paul Usoro SAN who is standing trial for an N1.4 billion fraud, granting him leave to travel outside Nigeria. While urging the court to grant the motion, Olanipekun SAN told the court that the application was carefully worded in line with the circumstance of the case. The anti-graft agency accused him of laundering N1.4 billion belonging to Akwa Ibom State Government, a charge the defendant had consistently denied, saying the money was part of his legitimately earned professional fees. 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. The anti-graft agency also mentioned in the body of the charges 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.

Source: Nigerian Tribune April 17, 2019 15:00 UTC