A Lagos State High Court has granted bail to former Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner of Justice, Olasupo Shasore, (SAN), to the tune of N50 million with one surety in like sum over an alleged money laundering.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Thursday arraigned Shasore, over money laundering allegations, totaling more than 200,000 US dollars.
Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke granted the Senior Advocate of Nigeria bail after he pleaded not guilty to the four count-charge at the federal high court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
The EFCC legal team is led by Bala Sanga, a senior advocate of Nigeria, while four senior advocate of Nigeria are appearing for the defendant. The four defence counsel are Yemi Candide-Johnson (SAN), Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), Segun Ajibola (SAN) and Chijioke Okoli (SAN).
After the arraignment, the defendant through his counsel then applied for bail on liberal terms or on self-recognizance, arguing that Mr Shasore (SAN) isn’t a flight risk who will will be present for his trial at all times and that the alleged offenses are bailable.
The EFCC, on its part, didn’t object to the bail application.
Mr. Shasore was alleged to have induced one Olufolakemi Adelore, in accepting cash payment of the sum of $100, 000. 00, without going through a financial institution.
He was also alleged to have made cash payment of the sum of $100, 000.00 to Ms. Adelore through two persons, Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin.
The senior lawyer also allegedly made a cash payment of the sum of $100, 000.00 to one Ikechukwu Oguine without going through a financial institution.
Mr Shasore was said to have allegedly made the questionable payments of $100,000 each to Ms Adelore and Mr Oguine, who served as lawyers for the Nigerian Petroleum Ministry and the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, at the time.
According to the anti-graft agency, the said offences involving Mr Shasore contravened sections 78(c); 1(a) and 16(1)(d) and 18(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(6) and 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.
The Senior Advocate of Nigeria, who was the Lagos State’ Attorney-General and Justice Commissioner, during former governor, Babatunde Raji Fashola’s administration, was said to have committed the alleged offenses on or about November 18, 2014.