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Tag: Ajumogobia

  • EFCC arraigns dismissed judge Ajumogobia for ‘money laundering’

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday arraigned a dismissed Federal High Court judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, for alleged money laundering.

    She was charged with a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, who was absent.

    Justice Rilwan Aikawa issued a summons for him to appear on the day fixed for trial.

    When the case was called for the defendants’ to take their pleas, prosecuting counsel Rotimi Oyedepo said efforts to reach Obla were unsuccessful.

    The lawyer said the SAN’s phones were switched off and that his lawyer could not confirm his whereabouts.

    He said: “I can say that the second defendant (Obla) is at large. I called the counsel representing him; he informed me that he could not reach Mr Obla. The commission also took steps to contact him, but we discovered that he switched off his phone.

    “We were not expecting difficulties in producing him in court, considering our gesture to him.”

    Only Ofili-Ajumogobia was arrested by EFCC operatives on Tuesday after the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja struck out a previous charge against her and Obla for lack of jurisdiction.

    “Before trial commences, we’ll do our best to produce him,” Oyedepo told Justice Aikawa.

    He urged the court to issue summons for Obla and to allow Ajumogobia to take her plea alone.

    The court granted the prayer and the charges were read to Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    EFCC said she and Obla conspired on May 21, 2014, to indirectly conceal and retain N5 million in the Diamond Bank account of Nigel and Colive Limited.

    Read Also: EFCC appeals verdict on Goje’s no-case submission

    According to the commission, they “reasonably ought to have known that the money forms part of proceeds of unlawful act to wit: unlawful enrichment”.

    The alleged offence is contrary to sections 15 (2) (a) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011 and punishable under Section 15 (3).

    Ofili-Ajumogobia was also accused of indirectly concealing N12 million in the same account, despite knowing that it was a proceed of “unlawful enrichment”, contrary to Section (2) (d) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011.

    The commission said she indirectly retained $150,000 in her account on May 30, 2013, knowing that it was a proceed of “unlawful enrichment”.

    EFCC said she further retained $20,000 on June 11, 2013; $30,000 on February 11, 2014; $50,000 on March 27, 2014 and another $150,000 on March 29, 2014 in the same Diamond Bank (now Access Bank) account.

    The prosecution said she also illegally retained $70,000 on June 2, 2014; $55,000 on October 14, 2014; $50,000 on November 21, 2014; another $50,000 on December 20, 2014 and $30,000 between June 17 and 19, 2015.

    In Count 17, EFCC alleged that Ajumogobia, on or about June 5, 2012, indirectly retained N18 million from Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited in her account domiciled in Access Bank Plc.

    The commission said she also reasonably ought to have known that the money “forms part of proceeds of unlawful act to wit: unlawful enrichment…”

    In the last count, Ofili-Ajumogobia allegedly made a false statement to an officer that N33 million was paid into her account for the purchase of a landed property on Rita Ajumogobia Street, Asaba, Delta State capital.

    The alleged offence of lying to an officer contravenes Section 39 (2) of the EFCC Act.

    After pleading not guilty to the 18-count charge, Ofili-Ajumogobia’s lawyer, Mr Wale Akoni (SAN), urged the court to grant her bail on self-cognisance.

    He said the defendant was a serving judicial officer and that she did not jump bail for once while on trial at the Lagos High Court.

    Oyedepo opposed the application on the ground that Ofili-Ajumogobia had been dismissed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) on corruption-related offences.

    But Akoni said Ofili-Ajumogoba remains a judge until President Muhammadu Buhari ratifies the NJC decision.

    “What the NJC does is to recommend someone for dismissal in line with Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution. Until the President acts on the recommendation, she remains a judge. There is no evidence that the President has done so,” Akoni said.

    Justice Aikawa held that Ofili-Ajumogobia was entitled to bail since the alleged offence was bailable.

    He granted her bail for N10 million with one surety in like sum.

    The surety, the judge said, must be a civil servant not below Grade Level 16 in Federal or state employment and must own a landed property within the court’s jurisdiction.

    Justice Aikawa said the defendant should deposit her international passport with the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar.

    He released Ofili-Ajumogobia to her lawyer pending when she perfects her bail conditions, which must be within the next seven working days.

    Justice Aikawa said he did so after considering the public holidays.

    On Obla, the judge said: “An order is hereby made for the issuance of summons compelling Mr Godwin Obla (SAN) to appear before this court on May 15 for the purpose of trial.

    “The case is hereby adjourned for trial till May 15.”

     

  • EFCC to re-arraign ex-judge Ajumogobia today

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) will today re-arraign a former Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, on fresh criminal charges.

    She will be re-arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of the Federal High Court in Lagos, the Division she sat as a judge before she was sacked by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

    The EFCC filed an 18-count charge against her.

    The development is coming on the heels of her arrest after the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja struck out a previous charge against her on Tuesday for lack of jurisdiction.

    Read also: Drama in court as EFCC re-arrests Ofili-Ajumogobia

    Ajumogobia will be brought to court from EFCC’s custody, it was learnt.

    A former EFCC prosecutor, Mr Godwin Obla (SAN), is the second defendant in the charge.

    EFCC said the duo conspired on May 21, 2014, to indirectly conceal N5 million in the Diamond Bank account of Nigel and Colive Limited, which the prosecutor said they “reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful act to wit: unlawful enrichment”

  • NJC gets petitions against Ajumogobia, two other judges

    NJC gets petitions against Ajumogobia, two other judges

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has sent petitions to the National Judicial Council (NJC) against three judges for alleged bribery and corruption, abuse of office and unethical practices.

    The judges are Justice Rita Ngozi Ajumogobia and Justice Hyeladzira. A. Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court and Justice Agbadu James Fishim of the National Industrial Court(NIC).

    It was also learnt that evidence and details of the cases against the judges have been presented to the NJC for consideration.

    According to a highly-placed source in NJC, the EFCC’s petitions to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, are  dated January 5, 2018.

    The source said: “I am aware the EFCC has written petitions to the NJC against the three judges based on some of the charges already preferred against them.

    “I think the only difference now is that the EFCC has submitted its findings to the NJC to enable it to take disciplinary action (if necessary) against the judges some of who are currently not sitting to hear cases.

    “This is in line with the position of the NJC that it ought to look into the cases against judges on merit before taking any suspected ones to court. The petitions are in line with a new understanding between the Executive and the Judiciary.”

    In one of the petitions, the EFCC said it received intelligence report against Justice Nganjiwa  on allegation of “unlawful enrichment.”

    Some of the allegations against Nganjiwa (including those already in the public domain) are running a firm, as a principal officer and director.

    The anti-graft agency alleged that Nganjiwa also operated the firm’s bank account.

    “From June 2012 till the commencement of investigation, Justice Nganjiwa enriched himself to the tune of N61, 912.465. That investigation revealed that part of the enrichment represents contracts by him through this company account.”

    In the petition against Justice Ajumogobia, the EFCC accused her of operating foreign accounts with HSBC UK (Account number 40460951625 233) and Barclays Bank, UK with number 1093492.

    “That Ajumogobia has a substantial interest in a foreign company in the UK with account number 10934925/10631301 with FBN UK

    “The firm was incorporated in the Republic of Seychelles on 25th of June 2012 with 100,000 shares of $1 each wholly owned by her.

    “In November 2016, Hon. Justice Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla (SAN) were charged to court on a 30-count charge before Hon. Justice Oshodi of the Ikeja High Court of Lagos State,

    “There were communications between Justice Ajumogobia and Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) during the pendency of a criminal suit. Whilst the suit was pending, Obla gratified Ajumogobia on 21st day of May 2015.”

    Concerning Justice Fishim, the EFCC alleged that he received money from seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria, one other Lagos-based lawyer and one law firm between 2013 and 2015.

    It told NJC that Justice Fishim was already facing a 19-count charge before Justice Raliat Adebiyi of Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

    It claimed that Justice Fishim had alleged significant increase in his assets that he cannot reasonably explain in relation to his lawful income.”

    The EFCC has filed an application before the Supreme Court against the judgment of the Court of Appeal which quashed the 14 charges fixed against Justice Nganjiwa before the Lagos State High Court in Igbosere on June 23.

     

  • Ajumogobia, Obla can travel abroad for medical treatment, says court

    Ajumogobia, Obla can travel abroad for medical treatment, says court

    Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja has granted leave to a Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and Chief Godwin Obla (SAN) to travel abroad for medical treatment.

    Both Justice Ajumogobia and Chief Obla are facing corruption charges brought against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.

    Ajumogobia is travelling to New York. Obla, on the other hand, is going to Houston, Texas.

    Ajumogobia had through her counsel, Olawale Akoni (SAN) sought the leave of the court to travel for urgent medical attention in Morris Height Centre, Bronx, New York.

    However, EFCC counsel Rotimi Oyedepo  opposed the application.

    But Justice Oshodi ordered the Chief Registrar  to release the international passports of  Ajumogobia and Obla to enable them travel for treatment.

  • How ex-Customs boss Dikko paid N12m into Ajumogobia’s account

    How ex-Customs boss Dikko paid N12m into Ajumogobia’s account

    A prosecution witness in the corruption case against Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia has said that the former Comptroller General of the Nigerian Customs Service (NSC), Abdullahi Dikko, paid the sum of N12 million into the bank account of the Federal High Court judge.

    The prosecution witness, Mr Omale Musa, revealed this yesterday before an Ikeja High Court as more details emerged about alleged illegal transactions in the bank accounts of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    Musa told the court presided over by Justice Hakeem Oshodi yesterday that the Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) paid the said sum to Nigel and Colive Limited, a corporate bank account owned by the judge.

    Led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecuting counsel for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the witness, who is currently serving as an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, said that the transaction occurred on July 11, 2014, under the instructions of the then Comptroller General of the NCS, Mr Abdullahi Dikko.

    “In the course of my duty in 2014, the Deputy Comptroller General that I was directly working with, Mr Musa Tahir, came down from the office of the Comptroller General of Customs (CGC) Mr Abdullahi Dikko.

    “He gave me the account number of Nigel and Colive Limited, telling me that the CGC said that we should liase with the 12 commands of the customs service, stating that each command should pay N1 million each into my bank account.

    “Tahir told me that when I receive the money, I should transfer the whole sum to Nigel and Colive.

    “The instructions were carried out as directed, and on July 11, 2014, the N12 million was paid in three tranches of N3 million, N4 million and N5 million into the account of Nigel and Colive Limited.

    “No services were rendered by our command to warrant the payments of the funds into the account,” Musa said.

    Musa said in his evidence that while he was invited by the EFCC, he was initially tempted to give a false statement to the anti-graft agency.

    However, under cross examination by the lead defence counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), Musa said he did not know the use of the N12 million he transferred.

    Clarke said “in the face of the statement of account that you’re holding, does it show any reason for transferring the money?

    “You work with the NCS, which is a para-military organisation. I believe you are trained to obey to the last instructions without asking questions.

    “The spirit that told you to tell the truth at the EFCC, was it an acquired spirit? Or when you were receiving instructions and transferring the money, did the spirit tell you anything?”

    Responding, Musa said: “The statement of account in my hands does not reveal any reason for the transaction.

    “I was instructed by my bosses to do the transaction, and I’m not trained to ask questions. It was my conscience that told me to tell the truth.

    “I was not harassed, coerced or intimidated by the EFCC to give my statements.”

    Another prosecution witness, Mr Robertson Emafidon, revealed during proceedings details of the N5 million which was transferred from Obla’s United Bank of Africa (UBA) account to the judge’s account.

    Emafidon, the Head of Regulatory Liason at the Head Office of the UBA, said: “Sometime in November 2016, we received a letter from the EFCC asking us to avail them of the account opening documents and statement of account regarding the customer.

    He said he made copies of the documents, certified them as true copies, signed and forwarded them as a letter back to the EFCC.

    According to him, there was a debit of N5 million on May 21, 2015 from the account of Obla and Co into the bank account of Nigel and Colive Limited.

    “On May 18, 2015, there was a credit of N16.5 million from the account of D.S.J Integrated Services into the bank account of Obla and Co.”

    However, while being cross-examined by Clarke and Chief Ferdinard Orbih (SAN), defence counsel to Obla, Emafidon, denied any knowledge of the purpose of the bank transfers.

    “I don’t know the purpose of the transfers. I was not personally involved in any of these transactions, and I was not in any of the branches where the transactions occurred,” Emafidon said.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi adjourned the case until May 26 for continuation of trial.

  • Alleged corrupt enrichment: Ajumogobia challenges court’s jurisdiction

    Alleged corrupt enrichment: Ajumogobia challenges court’s jurisdiction

    A Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who is facing charges of alleged corrupt enrichment, has challenged the jurisdiction of the Lagos State High Court to try her for the offence.
    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is trying Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and a senior advocate, Mr. Godwin Obla, on a 30-count charge of alleged unlawful enrichment of personal account and perverting the course of Justice before Justice Hakeem Oshodi at an Ikeja High Court.
    Ofili-Ajumogobia, through her lawyers, Mr. Olawole Akoni (SAN) and Robert Clark (SAN), filed an application dated April 5, 2017, challenging the jurisdiction of the court over her case.
    At the resumption of proceedings yesterday, Clark told the court they had two pending applications before the court.
    He reminded the court of an earlier application during the last proceeding, saying they were yet to receive a response from the court on it.
    EFCC’s counsel Mr. Idris A. Mohammed told the court the prosecution was served with three applications by the first defendant dated March 7 and 29 and April 5, 2017.
    “My Lord, the application dated April 5, however, is a motion challenging the jurisdiction of this honorable court,” he said.
    Justice Oshodi immediately berated and asked if such act is possible under the new law.
    “You people just shot yourselves at the foot because this application should have been taken first and it is obviously not ripe for hearing.
    “For that same reason, every other application must wait for this particular one to be taken; because if I don’t have jurisdiction, how can the case continue?” he asked.
    However, Obla’s lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), differed on the matter as he urged the court not to adjourn the matter but to allow the proceedings to continue for the sake of the second defendant.
    Adedipe said: “Even though this matter is a joint trial, it is the argument of the first defendant that is before your Lordship and not of the second defendant”.
    Clark, thereafter, joined pleas with the second defence counsel for a continuation of the proceedings.
    But the judge asked the counsel for a convenient date to adjourn the matter.
    Clark said: “If my motion will delay the first defendant’s matter, I will, therefore, withdraw my motion temporarily to allow the defendant take his motion.”
    The judge, however, overruled his submission.
    “This is not a game of chess and this court would not permit such. This is a law court and not where people play by assumptions or chance,” the judge said.
    Justice Oshodi adjourned the matter till April 28 as previously fixed for hearing of the pending application.

  • Ajumogobia, others for annual Aret Adams lecture

    All is set for the annual Aret Adams Memorial lecture scheduled to hold in Lagos on Thursday, 23rd February, 2017.

    In a statement issued by the Programme Coordinator of the Foundation, Mr. Akin Jokojeje and made available to The Nation, he said this year’s lecture tagged: ‘Find More, Produce More,’ which is the 14th in the series, will be chaired by the erstwhile Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mr. Odein Ajumogobia with the Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation, Dr. Maikanti Baru as guest speaker.

    Other major players and stakeholders in the oil and gas industry, financial institutions as well as captains of industries will be present at the event.

    According to Jokojeje, the Foundation is aimed at promoting and building educational capacity and policy formulations.

    He went further to reveal that the Foundation has institutionalised the Aret Adams Professorial Chairs at the University of Port Harcourt in collaboration with Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC).

    Also giving an insight into the forthcoming annual lecture, the Chairman, Board of Trustees of the Foundation, Mr. Egbert Imomoh, noted that the late Chief Aret Adams left behind a legacy of professionalism and humanitarianism as epitomised in many lives he touched, irrespective of tribe or religion affiliations while he was alive.

  • Ajumogobia, others for entrepreneurship conference

    Ajumogobia, others for entrepreneurship conference

    Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia and the Chief Executive of Ben Tv, Alistair Soyode, are billed to speak at the Global Entrepreneurship Conference.

    Director of Africa Shapers, Lekan Fatodu, explained that the 2015 Global Entrepreneurship Week to be observed in Lagos will hold at Four Points by Sheraton on November 19.

    His words: “Our continent must prepare to meet the opportunities of this century. Entrepreneurship will be the driver of change for the entire continent. That is why this conference is holding. There must be a platform for exchange of that idea and that is what Africa Shapers is known for.

    “We know that starting a business is exciting but can also be extremely complex. Many first-time founders get discouraged when looking at the survival rates of new start-ups, and fear the societal pressures of what might happen if they fail. This is the gap that Africa Shapers is trying to fill by providing mentors and educators who can help by enabling the founders to regain their self-confidence and providing them with tangible tools to overcome the typical barriers.

    “The event will create opportunity to discuss the recent adoption of sustainable development goal by the United Nations as a way of ensuring that we create responsible businesses on the continent in our quest for enduring entrepreneurship.”

    Other speakers include the Chief Executive of Marine Platforms, Mr. Taofeek Adegbite, businesswoman and Chief Executive of Mojec International, Ms. Chantelle Abdul and Police spokesperson, Bisi Kolawole.

     

  • Technology ‘ll drive other sectors, says Ajumogobia

    Former Minister of Foreign Affairs, Odein Ajumogobia has advised businesses wishing to optimise resources and increase production to embrace technology, adding that it is the force that sits at driving seat of economic development.

    Ajumogobia who has just joined the Board of Asseco Software Nigeria Ltd (Asseco Nigeria) as its chairman, said leveraging technology effectively will accelerate the development of the economy as it is an enabler to other sectors.

    Asseco Nigeria is a subsidiary of Asseco Poland S.A., one of the leading and fastest growing European software companies.

    The former Minister of State Petroleum Resources who reacted to his appointment as the chair Asseco board, said:  “I am delighted to represent Asseco Nigeria as its chairman. Technology is the driving force of many sectors and its effective use in Nigeria will elevate the country economically. Asseco is focused on building a sustainable software business in Nigeria by developing local talent to provide advanced technology solutions much needed in both private and public sectors across the country. I believe that Asseco’s presence and growth in Nigeria will be a significant contribution to the drive for increased transparency, automation, security and economic development through the use of technology.”

    Asseco has been present in Nigeria since 2013 and it is currently one of the largest Polish investors in Nigeria, focused on adding value locally in Nigeria.

    Its CEO in Nigeria, Simon Melchior, said: “Asseco’s success around the world has led it to become the fastest growing of the Top 10 European software companies for the past 3 consecutive years. This has been due to its strategy of international expansion and empowering its subsidiaries to add value locally.”

    To this end, Asseco Nigeria has focused on developing its local content by hiring a number of Nigerian software developers that are creating solutions specific for Nigerian entities.

    “Asseco Nigeria has the mandate and ability to customize, develop and implement integrated software solutions and to provide local support from Nigeria to its customers. This strategy is quite different from other international companies present in the country,” Melchior added.

    The Asseco Group is listed on the Warsaw Stock Exchange, the New York NASDAQ and Tel Aviv Stock Exchange, employing about 20,000 people in over 40 countries, Nigeria being its hub for West Africa.

    Asseco Nigeria’s areas of activity include Financial Services (banking, insurance and capital markets), Enterprises (power & utilities, telecommunications, fast moving consumer goods) and Public Administration (with a special focus on eGovernment, taxes, land use, health, social security and defense). Of particular significance is the group’s track record of active participation in the automation of central and local government processes in Central & Eastern Europe, to make government more efficient and closer to its citizens as well as Asseco’s experience of providing complex software systems to Polish power distribution companies after the recent privatization of the Polish power sector. Being the only Central & Eastern European company to have completed over 30 defence projects directly for the European Union (EU) and for North Atlantic Treaty Organisation (NATO), Asseco also has proper credentials as well as facility and personnel clearances to provide advanced security solutions to the Nigerian government.

  • Fashola, Ajumogobia, Osibajo, others for Etomi lecture

    Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), former Minister of Foreign Affairs Mr. Odein Ajumogobia (SAN), former Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice in Lagos State Prof. Yemi Osibajo (SAN) and other notable Nigerians  will on Friday in Lagos,  discuss the life of Nigeria without oil.

    Governor Fashola will  be the keynote speaker at the lecture titled: “Life without Oil’, which forms part of the  events marking the  30th anniversary of the law firm of George Etomi & Partners (GEP). The  event will hold  at  Agip Recital Hall of  Muson Centre, Onikan,  Lagos.

    A panel of persons from different  fields of  human endeavour will discuss the topic from their unique perspectives. The panellists include Mr. Ajumogobia, Mr. Bode Agusto, Mr. Atedo Peterside, Prof. Yinka Omorogbe and Prof.  Osibajo.

    The founder and Principal Partner of the firm, Mr. George Etomi will present a book: ‘An introduction to commercial law’, which gives a panoramic view of commercial law in Nigeria. The book,  which is recommended for students and practitioners alike,  contains about 600 pages of information to serve the readers well.  Etomi was the pioneer Chairman  of the Section on Business Law of the Nigerian Bar Association and is known to have contributed  immensely  to continuing legal education in Nigeria.