In preparation for his arraignment before Justice Chukwujekwu Aneke of the Federal High Court, Lagos, Mr. Olasupo Shasore SAN, a former commissioner for justice and attorney general of the state of Lagos, has engaged the services of four of Nigeria’s most senior advocates.
A respected proponent of legal reform Mr. Charles Candide-Johnson SAN is in charge of the group, Mr. Olawale Akoni SAN, Dr. Muiz Banire SAN, and Mr. Chijioke Okoli SAN are further members of the formidable defense team.
According to reports, another go-to senior lawyer may join and lead the defence team in court yesterday, as Shasore battles to clear his name over a four-count charge levied against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
The matter is filed as Charge No. FHC/L/447C/2022, Federal Republic of Nigeria and Olasupo Shasore, SAN
Meanwhile, a bail application filed by Shasore’s legal team seeks him to be granted bail on self-recognisance.
Dated 13th October, 2022 and filed the same day, the bail application is seeking “AN ORDER admitting the Applicant to bail on ‘self-recognisance’ and/or on such reasonable and liberal terms as the Honourable Court may determine pending the hearing and determination of this Charge.”
Recall that the EFCC had filed a four-count charge against Shasore bordering on alleged money laundering among others.
Count one of the charge reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N. on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court induced Olufolakemi Adelore to commit an offence, to wit accepting cash payment of the sum of US100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) without going through a financial institution which such exceeded the amount authorised by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to section 78(c) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under section 16(6) of the same Act.”
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Count two reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, in a transaction without going through a financial institution, made cash payment of the sum of USD 100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand United States Dollars) to Olufolakemi Adelore through Auwalu Habu and Wole Aboderin, which sum exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to sections 1(a) and 16(1)(d) the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011 (as Amended) and punishable under section 16(2)(b) of the same Act.”
Count three reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N., on or about the 18th November, 2014, in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable Court, induced one Ikechukwu Oguine, to commit an offence, to wit: accepting case payment of the sum of USD100,000.00 (One Hundred thousand United States Dollars) without going through a financial institution, which such amount exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 18(c) of the Money Laundering Act, 2011 (as amended) and punishable under Section 16 (2)(b) Of the same Act.”
Count four reads: “That you Olasupo Shasore, S.A.N on or about the 18th day of November 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, without going through a financial institution and made cash payment of the sum of USD100,000.00 (One Hundred thousand United State Dollars) to one Ikechukwu Oguine which sum exceeded the amount permitted by Law and you thereby committed an offence contrary sections 1(a) and 16(1),(d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition Act, as amended) and punishable under section 16 (2)(b) of the same Act.”
The application is supported by a 20-paragraph affidavit deposed by one Orji Agwu Uka, a legal practitioner and one of the defence lawyers.