The Former Vice President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Mr Blessing Ukiri has passed on.
In a an information received by Courtroom Mail, the Chairman and Secretary of the Port-harcourt Branch of the NBA has confirmed his demise this morning.
Mr Ukiri, an astute member of the bar was reported to have previously suffered a stroke in court and was rushed to the hospital.
He was billed for a surgery today.
Tributes have started pouring in from the legal community in Nigeria.
In 2012, Mr. Ukiri, was prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on charges of fraud, stealing and money laundering of over N35 million.
The accused was alleged to have converted a N35m judgement sum, paid by the Central Bank of Nigeria to his client, Samuel Onowighose, by concealing the origin of the fund and using part of it to acquire 150 thousand units of First Bank of Nigeria Plc shares.
The commission said his actions were punishable under section 14 (1) (a) of the Money Laundering Act, 2004.
