The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Justice Adeniyi Ademola

  • FG files fresh charges against Justices Ngwuta, Ademola at CCT

    The Federal Government on Wednesday filed two fresh charges against Justices Sylvester Ngwuta (of the Supreme Court) and Adeniyi Ademola (of the Federal High Court) before the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    According to Salihu Othman Isah, the Media Aide to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami (SAN), the charge against Justice Ngwuta has 10 counts, while that against Justice Ademola has two counts.

    They are accused of contravening the Code of Conduct Bureau and Tribunal (CCB/T) Act for  failing to declare some of their assets.

    Both judges are already being tried on separate criminal offences before the Federal High Court (in the case of Justice Ngwuta) and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (for Justice Ademola).

    Isah, in a statement issued late on Wednesday, said the AGF has written the CCT, requesting for a date for the judges’ arraignment on the new charges.

    He said the charges were filed on behalf of the AGF by Hajara Yusuf, an official in the Federal Ministry of Justice.

     

  • DSS tenders N54m,other currencies recovered from Justice Ademola’s residence

    DSS tenders N54m,other currencies recovered from Justice Ademola’s residence

    An operative of the Department of State Service, Mr Umar Ahmed, on Wednesday at an FCT High Court, Maitam, tendered N54million and other items recovered from the residence of Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola, his wife Olabowale and Mr Joe Agi (SAN) are standing trial on a 18-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to receive gratification in various ways contrary to Section 8(1)(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other  Related Offences Act 2000.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Justice Ademola was among the seven justices investigated on after the sting operations carried out on Oct. 8 and  Oct . 9 by the DSS.

    The items tendered by Ahmed, the exhibit keeper with DSS who was the 11thwitness, included 121, 279 US dollar, 400, 400 euros,  110 Indian  Rupees and 80 pounds.

    Others were: two pump action rifles and licence bearing the names of Justice Adeniyi Ademola and Justice Mohammed.

    The items were admitted in evidence.

    Earlier,  Mr Malik  Olatunde, an official of the Guaranty Trust  Bank (GTB) testified on how  Ademola transferred  N175 million  in two tranches of N90 million and N85 million respectively, to a property company named  Don Parker  Properties Ltd..

    He also narrated to the court the procedure of opening an account.

    Two more charges were added, bringing the charges to 18 counts.

    The judge, Justice Jude Okeke, granted the prosecution leave to amend the charges as the defence counsel did not object to the application.

    Okeke also upheld the existing bail terms and conditions as given on Dec. 13 after pleas were taken.

    NAN recalls that Okeke admitted them to bail in the sum of N50 million each and on self recognition.

    The court ordered that they deposit their international passports pending the conclusion of the trial

    The case was adjourned till Feb.9 for continuation of hearing (NAN).

  • Justice Ademola’s ‘agent’ demanded N25m bribe – Witness

    Justice Ademola’s ‘agent’ demanded N25m bribe – Witness

    • Fails to link judge with the bribe request
    A former Director, Pension Accounts, Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, Sani Teidi on Tuesday insisted that Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court demanded N25million bribe from him.
    Teidi, who is being tried for alleged diversion of N4.5billion pension fund, stood trial before Justice Ademola in 2013, during he was granted N1b bail, which conditions he could not meet.
    Testifying yesterday, as the 6th prosecution witness, at the resumed trial of Justice Ademola and two others, Teidi said the judge made it difficult for him to get bail because he failed to part with a N25 bribe allegedly demanded by the judge.
    The witness was, however, unable to link the judge to the demand of the bribe as he merely claimed the judge’s agent, who he identified as Keneth O., acted for the judge.
    Justice Ademola, his wife, Olabowale and a lawyer, Joe Agi (SAN) are being tried before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) on allegation of acceptance of gratification, illegal possession of firearms and ammunition.
    Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Segun Jegede, Teidi said the judge’s refusal to vary his bail condition informed why his (Teidi’s) wife petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing the judge of misconduct.
    Teidi said the judge’s  agent met him and left an account number into which he was to pay the bribe.
    Teidi said the judged initially refused to grant him bail, but that after being persuaded by his lawyer to grant bail, the judge kept giving excuses for not signing the documents to facilitate his release.
    He said, “My sureties were one Chief Okey and the second one Igbelimeta Farm Project Limited. They now perfected the bail.
    “After it was perfected, my lawyer, S.I Ameh (SAN), reminded Justice Ademola that our bail conditions had been perfected and the judge said he was aware.
    “But the judge said my case was like Boko Haram, kidnapping and terrorism and so, he would take his time to study it before he would append his signature. Then the case was adjourned.
    “The next time we met in court Justice Ademola, said rain fell on my file so there was no way he could look at it until the file was dry.
    “I appeared before him not less than seven times. I was arraigned around April 2013. I know why my bail was not approved. I got to know around November/December (2013).
    “I got to know that I would not be allowed to go out because the account sent by the agent, Kingsley . O, was not credited.
    “We applied for variation since my remaining surety, Igbelimeta, was unable to meet the N1bn condition. But Justice A.F.A Ademola said N1bn was not too much and that I should go and perfect it.
    “Then we went on appeal. I was in prison for one year and two months before I went on appeal. The appeal succeeded and I was granted bail.
    “The bail condition given by the Court of Appeal was one surety with a property worth N100m within the FCT. It was perfected.
    “The Appeal Court also ordered that I deposited my passport and produced a surety with property worth N100m, that must be resident in Abuja.
    “The Appeal Court also ordered that I should produce the tax clearance of the surety for three years
    “The Court of Appeal also ordered that the case be transferred and that the case should be heard by other judges of the Federal High Court but not Justice A.F.A Ademola,” the witness said.
    He said while in custody, Justice Ademola issued an order of permanent forfeiture of his properties earlier temporarily seized by an order made by the judge before whom he was earlier standing trial, Justice Adamu Bello.
    He identified the properties as Brifina Hotel and Homo Filling Station, AY TED Filling Station.
    Jegede later tendered a certified true copy of the Court of Appeal’s judgment granting bail to Teidi, and the document was admitted by the court as an exhibit.
    Under cross-examination, the defence confronted Teidi with a report issued by the  NJC after investigating the witness’ bribery allegation against the judge in a petition by his wife, Fatimah.
    The report, containing the findings of the NJC’s panel which investigated the petition, was read to the witness by Justice Ademola’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN).
    The report revealed that the findings of the NJC panel showed that, as against Teidi’s claim, the judge only issued a bench warrant against the witness after he failed to appear in court on two different occasions despite being duly notified.
    It also revealed where the panel noted that, although the prosecution did not ask for the bench warrant, the judge, as a master of his court, made the order for Teidi’s arrest in accordance with his power.
    The report also said the alleged “onerous” bail conditions which the judge  imposed on the witness, fell within the discretion of the judge and there was no evidence that the judge acted in “reproach”.
    The report also revealed that the NJC’s investigative panel accepted Justice Ademola’s explanation to the effect that the bail sum was commensurate to the N4.6bn Teidi allegedly stole.
     The panel said the granting of bail was a matter within a judge’s discretion and that the judge was not bound by the decision of another judge.
     Th panel found, in the report,  that Teidi’s wife was unable to provide the identities of numerous “anonymous calls” from persons asking her to pay N25m bribe for her husband’s release, and so linking the callers to the judge was “a mere suspicion” that could not be legally relied on “no matter how strong the suspicion is”.
    The defence also confronted Teidi with a report of the investigation conducted by the police on the issue, which revealed that one of the sureties produced by Teidi, in fulfilment of the bail granted him, presented a forged Certificate of Occupancy to the court.
    When asked by one of the defence lawyer, Robert Clarke (SAN) how he, a defendant in a criminal case,  suddenly became a “friend” of the Department of State Service (DSS), the witness was silent.
    Clarke accused Teidi of serving “as a tool in the hand of DSS to do what they wanted you to do”.
    The trial continues on Wednesday.

  • Prosecution alleges threat to witnesses in Justice Ademola’s trial 

    The planned continuation of trial in the case involving Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court and two others was stalled Monday owing to the inability of the prosecution to present its next witness.

    Prosecution lawyer, Segun Jegede sought an adjournment Monday when he was asked by Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja to call his next witness.

    Jegede said his next witness, Dr. Shaibu Teidi was absent in court because he narrowing escaped being assassinated by some armed individuals, who invaded his home in the early hours of Monday.

    Jegede said Teidi, a former Director, Pension Accounts Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation, has been taken into hiding by security agents.

    Teidi, who is being tried by the state over his alleged involvement in pension fund scam, is to testify, along with his wife, Fatimah in support of the prosecution’s allegation that Justice Ademola demanded N25m bribe from him (Teidi) while he was standing trial before the judge.

    Monday, Jegede started by saying that an “unfortunate and dangerous dimension” has been introduced to the case.

    Jegede said at about 2am on Monday, about eight armed men scaled the fence to Teidi’s house in Abuja and attempted to kill him

    The prosecution lawyer said: “A call was made to the police station that some men, about eight of them, armed, had scaled the fence of his residence, and entered his home, where they met the children and in the process.

    “In a nutshell they said it was their father they wanted, meaning him, Dr. Teidi,” Jegede said

    He added that Teidi was only able to escape being killed when he managed to escape and called a friend, who reported the case to the Commissioner of Police of the FCT.

    “Dr. Teidi then called a friend, who reported the matter to the police after which the Commissioner of Police sent his men to the residence of Dr. Teidi and took him to the police station.

    “As we speak, the police have taken him back to where he is in hiding,” Jegede said.

    He was about narrating another incident, relating to how  Teidi had told him three days earlier, that he (Teidi) received a call from someone, who purportedly tried to “broker a talk” between him and Justice Ademola, when the judge’s lawyer, Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) interrupted him.

    Ikpeazu was of the view that such issue should never be allowed to be discussed in the open court without first, being bought to the attention of the lawyers on the opposing side or the judge in private.

    Jegede, who however, insisted on his request for an adjournment, contended that there was no law barring him from making such disclosure in the open court, particularly when Monday was the only time parties were in court after the incidents he was reporting.

    The defence team, comprising, Ikpeazu, Robert Clarke (SAN) and Jeph Njikonye objected to Jegede’s request for adjournment.

    They argued that the application for adjournment was baseless and that it reflected unseriousness on the part of the prosecution to proceed with its case.

    The defence lawyers urged the court to order the prosecution to call its other witnesses, failing which it should strike out the charge.

    Ruling, Justice Okeke expressed displeasure over the prosecution’s inability to proceed with its trail.

    He noted that the prosecution, by requesting an adjournment, has rubbished the purpose for which the court adjourned other 11 case in its cause list to make time for the case.

    Justice Okeke upheld the defence’s argument could call four other of is witnesses, but failed to do so.

    He said the delay by the prosecution was unacceptable, because the duties of the defendants – Justice Ademola, as a serving judge; his wife, Olabowale, as Head of Service of Lagos State, and Joe Agi, as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria – have been held in abeyance with the pendency of the case.

    The judge noted that it was the third time since the commencement of the trial that the prosecution was asking for adjournment.

    Justice Okeke added: “The court will indulge the prosecution one more time.” he urged the prosecution to avoid any further delays, failing which “the court will be constrained to do the needful.”

    The judge rdered the Inspector-General of Police (IGP),  Mohammed Idris, to provide protection for all prosecution  witnesses as well as defence witnesses and the defendants in the case “if need be”.

    In an earlier ruling, Justice Okeke allowed the prosecution to amend its proof of evidence by filing a summary of the evidence to be given by one of its witnesses, Malik Olatunde, an employee of the Guaranty Trust Bank Plc.

    The defence had, at the last proceedings, objected to the choice of Olatunde as a prosecution witness on the ground that his written statement was not included in the proof of evidence served on it.

    Justice Ademola, his wife and Agi are being tried by the office of the Attorney General of the Federation on charges of corruption and illegal possession of firearms.

    Hearing in the case resumes Tuesday.

  • Ademola, wife’s N50m bail upheld, bail granted to Agi

    An Abuja High Court on Wednesday upheld the existing bail granted to Justice Adeniyi Olabowale and his wife, Olabowale on Dec. 13, and also granted bail to Mr Joe Agi (SAN).

    Ademola and wife were earlier arraigned by the Federal Government on an 11-count charge bordering on criminal conspiracy to receive gratification in various ways contrary to Section 8(1)(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Act 2000.

    Ademola was among the seven justices investigated after the sting operation carried out on Oct. 8 and Oct. 9 by the Department of State Services (DSS).

    The Prosecuting counsel, Mr Segun Jegede, had on Jan. 9 informed the court that he would file an amended charge to bring in a third defendant, Mr Joe Agi (SAN).

    The original count of 11 had now been amended to 16-count, and Agi was brought in as the third defendant in the matter.

    The judge, Justice Jude Okeke, upheld the existing bail of N50 million each on self-recognisance granted to the Ademolas and the condition that they deposit their international passports pending the conclusion of the trial.

    He said nothing had been placed before him in form of opposition by the prosecution to alter the bail.

    “This being the case, the bail granted to the 1st and 2nd defendants on Dec. 13 and the conditions attached to it are to continue.

    “And the court having considered that it is its essential duty in matters of bail to impose such conditions that would ensure the defendant appears in court to stand his trial.

    The application of bail is in the exercise of the court’s discretion under sections 161, 163, 164, 165 and 167(2) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA), 2015.

    “Bail is granted to the third defendant on self-recognisance in the sum of N50 million; he is to deposit his international passport and other travelling documents within seven days,” Okeke ordered.

    The judge then adjourned the case till Jan. 16 for the commencement of trial and Jan. 17 and Jan. 18 for continuation.

    At the resumed hearing on Wednesday, the prosecuting counsel, Mr Segun Jegede, informed the court that he had filed the amended charges as prayed on Jan. 9.

    Jegede said this was pursuant to Sections 216 (1) and 256 of ACJA and that the defendants had been served.

    The court therefore granted him his leave.

    Chief Solo Akuma (SAN) counsel for the Ademola and his wife, who held brief for Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), prayed the court to uphold the existing bail of the Ademolas.

    He told the court that they had fulfilled the bail condition.

    Mr Japh Njikonye, counsel to Agi, told the court that they filed a motion on notice on Jan. 10 for the bail of the 3rd defendant.

    The counsel prayed the court to grant Agi bail on self-recognisance as a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and as accorded him when he was invited by the DSS twice, since the substantive case had been scheduled for Jan. 16.

    “To show how responsible he is, my client is in court even though he was served only yesterday; so, there is no necessity to deposit his international passport and travelling documents,” Njikonye said.

  • Court grants Justice Ademola’s application

    Court grants Justice Ademola’s application

    A Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court in Maitama, Abuja on Monday granted Justice Adeniyi Ademola his application for abridgement of time for an accelerated hearing.

    Ademola and wife Mrs Olabowale were arraigned by the Federal Government on an 11-count charge of criminal conspiracy to receive gratification in various ways contrary to section 8(1)(a) of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission and other related Offences Act 2000.

    Recall that Justice Ademola was among the seven Justices investigated after the sting operations carried out on Oct. 8 and 9 by the Department of State Security (DSS).

    The Judge, Justice Jude Okeke granted them bail on Dec. 13, after hearing the applications of motion on notice from their counsel, Dr Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN) and Chief Roberts Clarke (SAN), respectively.

    Okeke admitted them to bail in the sum of N50 million each and on self-recognition and ordered that they deposit their international passports pending the conclusion of the trial.

    At the resumed hearing on Monday, Ademola’s counsel told the court that they filed a motion dated Dec. 16 for abridgement of time for an accelerated hearing of the case.

    He said this was in pursuant to the provisions of Section 396 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act 2015.

    The prosecuting counsel, Mr Segun Jegede, did not object to the motion but informed the court that he would file an amended charge to bring in a third defendant, Mr Joe Agi (SAN).

    The matter was originally adjourned until Jan. 18, for trial.

    The judge, Justice Jude Okeke after hearing from both counsel granted the motion for abridgement of time.

    “The matter is adjourned to January 11 for plea and further arraignment in the event that the prosecution files a fresh charge,” he said.

    He also adjourned till January 16, for the commencement of trial.

  • Justice Ademola, wife arraigned for gratification, others

    Justice Ademola, wife arraigned for gratification, others

    … Couple granted bail in self-recognisance

    The Federal Government on Tuesday arraigned a judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Justice Adeniyi Ademola and his wife, Olabowale, before Justice Jude Okeke of a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, Abuja.

    The judge’s wife is the Head of Service (HOS) in Lagos.

    They were arraigned on 11- count charge including conspiracy to receive gratification and receiving gratification of N30m from Joe Agi and Associates between March 11 and March 26 last year.

    The first four charges bordering on gratification involved the judge and his wife.

    The rest seven were preferred against the judge alone.

    The couple pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    Justice Okeke later granted Justice Ademola and his wife bail in self-recognisance.

    They were granted bail in the sum of N50m each, totalling N100m.

  • Lack of service stalls arraignment of Justice Ademola, wife 

    The planned arraignment of Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja and his wife, Olabowale has been put off owing to the inability of the prosecution to effect service of the charge on them.
     
    They are accused of engaging in acts of corruption and abuse of office.
     
    Lead prosecution lawyer, Segun Jegede told Justice Jude Okeke of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Maitama, Abuja that the court’s bailiff was unable to serve the defendants with the 11-count charge.
     
    Following the permission of the Justice Okeke, defence Lawyer, Jeph Njikonye accepted copies of the charge for the two defendants.
     
    Justice Okeke consequently adjourned to December 13 for arraignment.
  • Alleged N603m fraud: ICPC opens case against ex-NIHSA DG

    Alleged N603m fraud: ICPC opens case against ex-NIHSA DG

    The trial of a former Director-General of Nigeria Hydrological Services Agency (NIHSA), Mr John Ayoade Shamonda, opened before Justice Adeniyi Ademola of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory Apo, Abuja.

    Earlier in May, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) had arraigned Mr Shamonda before Justice Ademola for alleged mismanagement of N603 million intervention funds meant for rehabilitation and replacement of damaged hydrological equipment of NIHSA.

    The accused person’s actions were contrary to and are punishable under Sections 16, 17 (1) (C), and 22 (5) of the Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Act 2000.

    During the trial, the prosecution counsel of ICPC, Mr Okechukwu Igbudu called the head of the Investigation team, Mr Joshua Wakili, to the witness box to testify on the outcome of his investigation to the court.

    In his testimony, Wakili tendered some documents to substantiate his findings and they were admitted in court as exhibits.

    He also testified that some of the purchases and disbursement of funds made by Mr Shamonda were outside the approval given by the Presidency and Ministry of Water Resources.

    The defence counsel, Mr Michael Bello, cross-examined the ICPC witness on the admissibility of some of the documents tendered in court.

    At the conclusion of the cross-examination, Justice Ademola adjourned the case to 7th December 2016 for further hearing.

  • Justice Ademola withdraws from Dasuki’s trial

    Justice Ademola withdraws from Dasuki’s trial

    Justice Adeniyi Ademola, the judge in the case against the former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, has withdrawn from the cases.

    Ademola, one of the seven judges arrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) on allegations of corruption, claimed that he was being harassed and intimidated by the service.

    He cited allegations of corruption by DSS against him, which is prosecuting Dasuki’s case, as the reason for his action.

    The judge claimed that he was being harassed and intimidated for granting bail to Dasuki and Nnamdi Kanu, the Director of Radio Biafra.