The incumbent Governor of Akwa Ibom State, Udom Emmanuel, was also named in the charge alongside some members of his cabinet.
However, the charge noted that Governor Udom was “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution” by virtue of his position.
Other persons named in the charge are the state Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah; Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Uwemedimo Nwoko; and Margaret Ukpe.
The other persons named alongside Usoro were said to be at large.
Usoro was arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan of the Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations bordering on money laundering and criminal conversion of funds belonging to the Akwa Ibom State Government.
According to the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), the EFCC alleged that the offence was committed on May 14, 2016, when Usoro allegedly conspired with others to convert N1.4 billion belonging to the state government.
The commission said the alleged offences included criminal breach of trust and unlawful conversion, contrary to provisions of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2011.
The case, marked FHC/418C/18, was brought before the court by the anti-graft agency as part of its investigation into the alleged movement and use of the funds.
At the Tuesday proceedings, EFCC counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, appeared for the prosecution, while Wole Olanipekun (SAN) led a team of senior advocates representing Usoro.
Oyedepo told the court that the criminal charge had been served on Usoro on December 10 and urged the court to allow the accused to enter his plea.
Olanipekun confirmed that his client had received the charge but raised concerns about the manner in which the service was effected.
He told the court that Usoro had been directed to report to the EFCC office to receive the charge and was kept there for several hours before eventually being allowed to leave.
The defence counsel also informed the court that his team had learnt of a letter addressed to the Chief Judge, seeking the transfer of the case to Uyo, Abuja or another jurisdiction outside Justice Hassan’s court.
Olanipekun urged the court to await the decision of the Chief Judge before proceeding with the arraignment.
The prosecution, however, opposed the request, arguing that the case had been adjourned specifically for the arraignment and that there was nothing before the court preventing the proceedings from going ahead.
Oyedepo also cited provisions of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, arguing that objections to the charge could be raised after the accused had entered his plea.
Usoro eventually pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Following the plea, the court granted him bail in the sum of N250 million, with one surety in the same amount.
The court stipulated that the surety must either own landed property within its jurisdiction or be a serving civil servant not below the rank of a director in the federal or state civil service.
Justice Hassan also ordered Usoro to deposit his international passport with the court registry for verification.
Pending the perfection of his bail conditions, the court ordered that Usoro be handed over to E.B. Effiong (SAN).
The matter was subsequently adjourned to February 5, March 5 and March 6, 2019, for trial.
The allegations against the defendants remained matters for determination by the court.
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