The matter against the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Paul Usoro SAN could not go on trial today as slated because the EFCC failed to serve the defendants counsels the relevant documents including the statements of the witnesses in conformity with the provisions of the Administration Criminal Justice Act.
The Counsel to Mr Usoro Mr Adedipe SAN had previously served the prosecution a motion which is praying the court to order the service of the statements on the defence.
The EFCC argued that the motion was not ripe for hearing being served on them on Friday.
However it was contended by the counsel to the defendants that if the EFCC had complied with the rules,the issue of the motion could not have arisen and trial would have proceeded.
In another development, the EFCC also failed to respond to the motion of Mike Ozekhome SAN who served them a motion to vacate the bench warrant against some witnesses in the matter. The Motion was served on the 4th of March 2019 and was ready for hearing but the EFCC failed to file a response and asked to be given time to respond.
Another motion challenging the inclusion of the Governor of Akwa Ibom in the counts and challenging the Jurisdiction of the court was filed by the counsel to the governor Dr Mekunye and EFCC was yet to respond to it.
Mr Usoro who was charged for receiving his professional fees from the Governor of Akwa Ibom state has maintained that the monies paid to him were part of his Professional fees and monies paid to him as Coordinating counsel for the benefit of other counsel which he duly transferred to them.
Aikawa J, expressed his desire for a timely dispensation of the matter .The Matter was adjourned to the 17th of April 2019 for hearing of pending motions.
