The Nation Newspaper

Tag: Justice Hakeem Oshodi

  • Court orders Evans, 3 others to get legal representative by June 14

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court has ordered alleged kidnap kingpin, Chukwudimeme Onwuamadike alias Evans and three other defendants to ensure they have legal representation by June 14.

    Evans is standing trial alongside Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu and Victor Aduba over the alleged kidnap of the Chief Executive Officer of Maydon Pharmaceutical Limited, Mr Donatius Dunu.

    NAN reports that the six were arraigned on Aug. 30, 2017 on two counts of conspiracy and kidnapping. According to the prosecution, they allegedly kidnapped Dunu and collected 223,000 Euros (N100m) as ransom.Evans and his co-defendants had pleaded not guilty to all the charges.

    At resumption of the trial on Thursday, proceeding was stalled due to the absence of defence counsel for Evans, Amadi, Uchechukwu and Ifeanyi.

    Following the development, Justice Oshodi mandated Evans and the three other defendants to ensure they have legal representation by June 14, the next adjourned date.

    The judge also directed that counsel from the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) be in court on the next adjourned date to represent the defendants in case they failed to get counsel to represent them in court.

    “If on the next day, the defence counsel are not around, the courts will order the defendants to either represent themselves or the court invokes Section 233(3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Law.

    “The prosecution shall also notify the Office of the Public Defender (OPD) to be in court on the next adjourned date.
    “This case is adjourned to June 14 for the continuation of the evidence of PW4,” Justice Oshodi said.

    Earlier during proceedings, Mr Emmanuel Ochai, the defence counsel representing Aduba (sixth defendant), told the court that other kidnap trials involving Evans have been stalled in other courts for the same reason.

    “We were before your learned brother yesterday at the High Court in Igbosere and we had the same issue.

    “Due to the absence of the counsel to the first (Evans) and fourth (Ifeanyi) defendants here, the matter was stalled.

    “I really do not know why there is no legal representation but we as counsel to the sixth defendant (Aduba) are ready to proceed,” Ochai said.

    Read Also: Court gives Evans till May 17 to get lawyer 

    Mr A. A Uzokwu, the counsel to the fifth defendant (Nwachukwu), also told the court that they were ready to proceed but was handicapped because of the absence of the other defence counsel.

    “What is happening now is like they are like a stationary vehicle, some of us are behind and that stationary vehicle and because it is not moving, we cannot move,” he said.

    When asked why he had no legal representation Evans told the court “I did not communicate with him.

    Amadi, Uchechukwu and Ifeanyi also told the court that they had not communicated with their defence counsel.

    Reacting to the absence of the defence counsels for the first to fourth defendants, Mr Y.G Oshoala a Director in the Directorate of Public Prosecutions (DPP) asked the court to appoint counsel for the defendants.

    “My Lord, yesterday we were before your learned brother Justice Akintoye at the Igbosere High Court.

    “The case was adjourned and that was the third adjournment granted by that court at the instance of the first defendant (Evans).

    “It is a game they are playing and I pray the court assist the state and invoke Section 233(3) of the ACJL which allows the court to appoint counsel for the defendants in these circumstances.

    “We brought our witness from out of jurisdiction or if the defendants so wish, they can defend themselves, it is their constitutional right,” Oshoala said.

    A policeman and the fourth prosecuting witness, Insp Idowu Haruna, was in court to testify in the proceedings that was eventually stalled.

  • Evans abandoned as lawyer withdraws from kidnap cases

    Suspected billionaire kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, has no lawyer to handle  his criminal and civil matters for now.

    His  former counsel, Olukoya Ogungbeje, yesterday withdrew his representation,citing  ‘personal reasons’.

    Ogungbeje had represented  Evans in his multiple kidnapping, murder and attempted murder trials at the Lagos High Court and two civil suits at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

    The lawyer,in a  June 13 letter, claimed that he and his colleagues in the matter had been receiving  threats to their lives.

    He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, we wish to state categorically that we have fought a good fight this far despite repeated and sustained threats to my life and my defence lawyers.

    “I dare say we have no regrets whatsoever having conducted the criminal charges involving our client this far.

    Read Also:I paid €233,000 to Evans for my boss’ release, witness tells court

    “For the sake of history, we have been able to enrich the basic principles of our criminal jurisprudence, especially the principle premised on ‘an accused person being presumed innocent until the contrary is proved’ no matter the public opinion and criticism”.

    Ogungbeje also claimed that his team kept the Lagos State Prosecution team on its toes in the art of forensic, proper and thorough investigation and prosecution of the accused persons.

    Evans was arrested on June 10, 2017 in his Magodo, Lagos mansion.

    He is currently facing five criminal charges before three Lagos High Court judges, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, Justice Oluwatoyin Taiwo and Justice Adedayo Akintoye.

    In the case before Justice Hakeem Oshodi which is expected to resume on June 22, Evans, Uche Amadi, Ogechi Uchechukwu, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Aduba are facing a two-count of conspiracy and kidnapping of one Mr. Donatus Dunu who was the last victim allegedly kidnapped by the group before their arrest in June 2017.

     

     

  • EFCC re-arraigns Ajumogobia, Obla for alleged unlawful enrichment

    EFCC re-arraigns Ajumogobia, Obla for alleged unlawful enrichment

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on Friday re-arraigned Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and Chief Godwin Obla (SAN), for alleged unlawful enrichment and conspiracy to pervert the course of justice.

    The re-arraignment before an Ikeja high court was sequel to amendment to charges preferred against them before Justice Hakeem Oshodi.

    The new charge sheet against the defendants contained 31 counts as against the former charge of 30 counts when they were first arraigned in November 2016.

    In the new charge, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was, among other things, accused of receiving a total of $793,800 in several tranches from different sources between 2012 and 2015 “so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.”

    Obla, on his part, was accused of offering N5m as gratification to the judge so as to allegedly pervert the course of justice.

    The offences were said to be contrary to sections 64(1), 82(a) and 69(1) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State No. 11, 2011.

    But the defendants pleaded not guilty to all the charges as they did earlier.

    Meanwhile, the 12th prosecution witness, Abdullahi Lawal, an investigator, continued his testimony before the court on Friday.

    Led in evidence by the prosecutor, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, Lawal pointed out three deposits of N4million, N3million and N5million, made into the account of Nigel and Colive Nigeria Limited, a company allegedly belonging to Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    The deposits, he said, were made on July 11, 2014, by a Customs officer, Omali Musa.

    According to him, when Musa was confronted, he told the anti-graft agency that he carried out the instruction of his superior, Musa Tahir, who, in turn, said the instruction to pay the money was from the former Comptroller General of Customs, Abdullahi Dikko.

    Lawal said the finding was contrary to Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s claim that the N12million was proceeds of landed property bequeathed to her by her late mother.

    He said, “The sum of N12million was not part of the lawful income of the first defendant.

    “They were payments made by Omali Musa, a Customs officer. They were sums being paid by Customs officers into Musa’s account, which he later transferred into the account of the first defendant.”

    Under cross-examination by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s lawyer, Chief Robert Clarke (SAN), Lawal said he did not interview Dikko to find out the reason for the payment.

    He, however, said, “Even though I did not see Mr. Dikko, I saw a written note given to Mr. Tahir by Mr. Dikko, containing the account number of Nigel and Colive, and says effect the payment.”

    Lawal said he did not caution the judge when asked by the defence counsel if he cautioned the judge during the telephone conversation that whatever she has said would be used against her in court.

    The witness said that no forensic expert was called to analyze the signature of one Charles Musa on a document alleged to have been forged by Ajumogobia.

    Justice Oshodi has adjourned further proceedings in the matter till March 23, 2013.

    Read Also: Ajumogobia, Obla can travel abroad for medical treatment, says court

  • Evans, others re-arraigned on amended charge

    Evans, others re-arraigned on amended charge

    Lagos state government Thursday re-arraigned notorious and billionaire kidnapper, Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, a.k.a. Evans, before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court for alleged kidnapping of one Dunu Donatus.

    In the amended charge, the defendants are again facing a two count charge offence bordering on conspiracy and kidnapping against them.

    Evans and co-defendants changed their guilty plea to not guilty after the amended charge was read to them.

    Evans was re-arraigned alongside five other suspected members of his gang which included a woman, Ogechi Uchechukwu, the third defendant.

    Others are  Uche Amadi, Okwuchukwu Nwachukwu, Chilaka Ifeanyi and Victor Chukwunonso Aduba, second, fourth, fifth and sixth defendants respectively.

    They have been in Police custody since June 10.

    In the former charge, the defendants were charged under Sections 411 and 271(3) Criminal Law Cap C17 Laws of Lagos State 2015.

    Count one in the amended charge bordered on “Conspiracy to commit a felony to wit kidnapping contrary to Section 411, Kidnapping Criminal Law. Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State 2015”.

    The second count bordered primarily on “Kidnapping contrary to Section 2(1) of the Kidnapping Prohibition Law, No 13, Laws of Lagos State 2017”.

    According to the particulars of the offence, the defendants were alleged to have “conspired to commit a felony to wit Kidnapping” on February 14, 2017 at about 7.45 p.m. along Obokun Street, Ilupeju, Lagos.

    They were also alleged to have sometimes between February 14 and April 12, 2017 along same street in Ilupeju “while armed with guns and other weapons capture and detain one Dunu Donatus against his will and collected a ransom of Euros 223,000.

    Unlike the State Criminal Law 2015 which prescribed 21 years for convicts, the Kidnapping Prohibition Law, No 13, Laws of Lagos State 2017 prescribed death sentence if victims die in the custody of kidnappers.

    At resumed proceedings yesterday, the prosecution led by the Director, Directorate of Public Prosecution (DPP), Titilayo Shitta-Bey informed the court that they have filed an amended charge against the defendants and served their counsels.

    Shitta-Bey said they were ready to commence trial.

    But the defence counsels opposed the prosecution saying that the prosecution served them the amended charge only yesterday morninh in court.

    They prayed the court for adjournment to enable them confer with their clients and response to the amended charge.

    They also told the court that they all have different applications pending before court which they argued will be overtaken by events if trial should commence.

    The counsel to first and second defendants was Olukoya Ogungbeje, that of third defendant was Joseph Otogblu, Olanrewaju Ajanaku for the fourth defendants, A.A. Ozogbu for the fifth defendant while the sixth defendant was represented by Emmanuel Ochai.

    However, counsel to fourth defendant, Olanrewaju Ajanaku differed and said he was ready for trial.

    But the DPP in her response opposed the defence counsels.

    Shitta-Bey urged the court to allow the charges to be read and for the defendants to take their fresh plea.

    According to her, there was no material change in the nature of the charge against the defendants.

    “The particulars of the offence are the same. Only the law in count two that deals with punishment of the offence is changed.

    “The application for adjournment by the defence counsels before plea is taken is calculated to derail trial before the court”, she argued.

    At this stage, Justice Oshodi stood the matter down for 45minutes to enable counsels confer with defendants.

    On resumption, the court conducted a house screening of the various applications of defence counsels after which they were all struck out.

    After this, all the defence counsels urged the court for adjournment to enable them respond to the amended charge served on them in court Thursday.

    Justice Oshodi, citing section 36 of the Constitution granted their prayer and adjourned the matter till November 3 for trial.

     

  • Court rejects American’s application for variation of bail conditions

    Court rejects American’s application for variation of bail conditions

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi of an Ikeja High Court Monday rejected an application brought before the court by an American, Marco Ramirez, alleged to have defrauded three Nigerians seeking US green card of $565,000.

    He said the application filed by Ramirez through his counsel, Ademola Adefolaju, was incompetent.

    At resumed proceedings yesterday, the vacation judge, Justice Oshodi declined to hear Ramirez’s application for variation of bail conditions as he was absent in court.

    His counsel, Adefolaju told the court that Ramirez is in Kirikiri Prison custody and that that is why he could not appear in court.

    “My Lord, my client is not here. He is on remand in prison, we will like my Lord to vary the bail conditions, the defendant has been unable to get an executive director of a company as a surety,” Adefolaju said.

    Responding, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr M.F Owede, opposed the application for variation of the bail conditions.

    Owede told the court that Ramirez was an international fugitive and that varying his bail condition would not be in the interest of justice.

    He urged the court to uphold the bail conditions granted him by Justice Josephine Oyefeso on July 10.

    “The defendant is a fugitive in the U.S.A., and he is already flagged by the interpol, despite this he was still granted bail on liberal terms,”Owede said

    Ruling on the application, Justice Oshodi, said that the application cannot be heard because Ramirez was not present in court.

    He held that the application was incompetent because there was nothing before the court to prove Ramirez’s alleged ill health.

    Adefolaju had on Friday brought an application before  a vacation Judge,  Justice Ganiyu Safari that his client’s health condition had deteriorated in Kirikiri Prison since his remand in July.

    He prayed the court for an order to allow the defendant to bring one surety that is in a directorate cadre in the Lagos State civil service as a substitute for a director in a reputable company.

    Adefolaju said Ramirez was dying in prison and the failure “to expeditiously determine the motion is dangerous as his health is deteriorating in prison custody.”

    However, Justice Safari held that since the EFCC was not aware of the proceedings it was better for the matter to be adjourned.

    He ordered that a hearing notice be issued to the commission informing it of Ramirez’s application and adjourned the hearing of the application till today before Justice Oshodi who is resuming today as the next vacation judge.

    The EFCC had charged Ramirez with a 16-count charge bordering on obtaining under false pretences.

    According to the anti-graft agency, Ramirez, who is the Managing Director of three companies, USA Now Plc., Eagleford Instalodge Group and USA Now Capital Group, allegedly committed the offences between February 2013 and August 2013.

    EFCC alleged that Ramirez fraudulently received $545,000 from Godson Echejue to invest in his company, Eagleford Instalodge Group, in order to procure an American green card (residence permit) for him.

    Healso allegedly received $10,000 from Abubakar Umar through a non-existent investment programme in the U.S., which was billed to make Mr. Umar eligible to obtain an American passport.

    The EFCC also accused Mr. Ramirez of illegally receiving $10,000 from one Olukayode Sodimu under the pretext that the funds were facilitation fees with the American Immigration Services for an American green card.

    Ramirez had pleaded not guilty to the 16 count charge offence.

    Justice Josephine Oyesfeso had on July 10, granted Ramirez bail in the sum of $250,000 bail or its naira equivalent with two sureties in like sum.

    Oyefeso had ordered that one of the sureties should be resident in Lagos, be a director of a reputable company and have landed property in Lagos State.

  • Court remands banker in Kirikiri over alleged N1.079 million fraud

    Court remands banker in Kirikiri over alleged N1.079 million fraud

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi has ordered an accountant, Sunny Idehen, to be remanded in Kirikiri Prison for alleged N1.079 milion fraud.

    Idehen would remain in prison custody pending commencement of his trial.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Tuesday arraigned Idehen before the court on a three – count charge bordering on stealing and diversion of funds to the tune of N1, 079,000.00.

    EFCC prosecutor, Mrs  Zanaib Ettu told the court that the defendant allegedly defrauded PAL-JUF Investment Company Limited by converting the company’s money to personal use.

    One of the charges stated: “that you Sunny Idehen, whilst being the Account Officer of PAL-JUF Investment Limited in Equity Bank (now Access Bank) on or about the 15th day of July 2002 in Lagos , with intent to defraud, stole and fraudulently converted the sum of N500,000  from PAL-JUF Investment Limited Account Number 0160362634001 domiciled in Equity Bank (now Access Bank) property of PAL-JUF Investment Limited “.

    The defendant pleaded not guilty to the charges.

    In view of his not guilty plea, prosecuting counsel, Mrs Ettu asked the court for trial date and to remand the defendant in prison custody.

    The defence counsel, Mr. O. Ogunlade however told the court that he was in the process of filing bail application for the defendant.

    He asked the court for a short date to file his bail application.

    Justice Oshodi ordered the remand of the defendant in the Kirikiri maximum prison.

    He adjourned the matter to October 31, 2017 for trial to commence.

     

  • Businessman arraigned for punching woman to death

    A businessman, Kingsley Oshiegbu, was Wednesday arraigned before an Ikeja High Court for allegedly killing one Ifeoma Ndidi with his fist.

    State prosecutor, Mr. M.T Adewoye, the incidence occurred on April 1, 2015 at No 7, Majaro street, Agege, Lagos.

    Oshiegbu, who was arraigned on a one count charge of involuntary manslaughter contrary to and punishable under section 222 of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.

    When the charge was read to him, the defendant pleaded not guilty.

    The prosecutor told the court presided by Justice Hakeem Oshodi that Oshiegbu allegedly killed Ndidi by giving her a blow on her head.

    He alleged that the defendant had a misunderstanding with the deceased which led to exchange of verbal words and abuses.

    He said that the situation became so intense that defendant, out of annoyance, gave the deceased a fist blow on the head.

    Ndidi was said to have collapsed immediately and later died.

    Counsel to the defendant, Mr Shaw Jason, told the court that the defence had filed an application dated March1, 2015, praying the court to grant bail to his client on liberal terms.

    “I wish to also notify the court that the defendant has been in prison custody for the past two years” Jason said.

    The trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi however adjourned the matter till June 26, 2017 for ruling.

     

  • Customs paid N12m into Ofili-Ajumogobia’s account – witness

    Customs paid N12m into Ofili-Ajumogobia’s account – witness

    Mr Musa Omale, a witness in the ongoing trial of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia for corruption, on Friday, said that the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) paid N12 million into a bank account owned by the judge.

    Omale, an Assistant Comptroller of Customs, made the assertion while giving testimony in the ongoing trial of the judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia before an Ikeja High Court.

    Led in evidence by Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the witness said that the NCS paid the amount into the account of a company, Nigel and Colive Ltd.

    Omale, who is the fifth witness for the anti-graft agency, said that the account was run by the judge.

    He said that the transaction occurred on July 11, 2014, under the instructions of the then Comptroller General of the NCS, Alhaji Abdullahi Dikko.

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

    “He gave me the account number of Nigel and Colive Ltd, telling me that the CGC said that we should liase with the 12 commands of the customs service and that each command should pay N1million each into my bank account.

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

    “The instructions were carried out as directed and on July 11, 2014, the N12 million was paid in three trenches of N3million, N4million and N5million into the account of Nigel and Colive Ltd.

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

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

    “I was invited to the EFCC office, I was told to explain the reason behind the transaction and I remember volunteering to give my statements.

    “I was initially trying to protect myself stating that I did not know anything about the money but at a point, something was telling me ‘when did you become a liar, do you not know your upbringing?

    “At that point, I retracted my statement and I revealed all that transpired during the course of that transaction,” Musa said.

    However, while being cross – examined by the lead defence counsel to Ofili-Ajumogobia, Mr Robert Clarke (SAN), Musa said he did not know the purpose 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 to Clarke’s questions, 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.”

    NAN reports that on March 17, a fourth prosecution witness, Mr Uchenna Okaranwolu, a former banker, had revealed to the court that the Delta State Government had paid N15 million into the judge’s Access bank account.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia, is standing trial alongside Mr Godwin Obla, SAN, a former prosecutor of the EFCC.

    The duo is jointly charged on two-counts of perverting the course of justice while Obla is facing an additional two counts of offering gratification in the sum of N5 million to Ofili-Ajumogobia, a public official, while serving as a judge.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia faces a 26-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption by a public officer, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC.

    Both denied all the charges.

    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) bank into 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 subject customer.

    “I made copies of the documents, certified them as true copied, signed and forwarded them as a letter back to the EFCC.

    “There was a debit of N5million on May 21, 2015 from the account of Obla and Co into the bank account of Nigel and Colive Ltd.

    “On May 18, 2015 there was a credit of N16.5million 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.

    After the witnesses had given their evidence, Oyedepo, the EFCC counsel, made an oral application to the court seeking for some witness summons to compel additional witnesses to testify for the EFCC in the trial.

    “My Lord, I want to apply for a witness summons to be issued on Mr Charles Musa, a proposed eleventh witness on the proof of evidence, Mr Frank Ezenwe and Mr Danladi Haliyu the fifth and sixth witnesses in the additional list of witnesses.

    “We will also request for a subpoena to the Registrar of Titles of the Bureau of Lands, Lagos, to produce a deed of assignment,” Oyedepo said.

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

  • How bank gave Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia waivers on account opening

    How bank gave Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia waivers on account opening

    An Ikeja high court heard yesterday that none of the persons listed as directors in the corporate account opened by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia at Diamond Bank visited the bank as at when the account was opened.Adebisi Onanuga

    A staff of the bank, Ademola Oshodi disclosed this yesterday to the court at the resumed trial of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Chief Godwin Obla before the court presided by Justice Hakeem Oshodi.

    Led in evidence by Rotimi Oyedepo, counsel to Economic and Financial Service Commission (EFCC), Adebayo, who was giving evidence on waivers given to the judge by the bank, said he did not meet any of the directors of the company as at the time he was opening the account contrary to usual practice.

    He told the court that the company, Nigel and Colive, is into general business and is located at No. 18, Lai Ajayi Bembe Road, Parkview Estate, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    He reiterated that when officials from the bank inspected the business premises it was still under construction.

    He said contrary to stipulated requirements, the fact that the business premises given by the judge was uncompleted was overlooked by the bank officials because the judge was considered a good customer.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Chief Obla are jointly being charged by the EFCC for allegedly perverting the course of justice.

    Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia is facing a 26-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption by a public officer, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC.

    Mr Obla, on the other hand, is facing a two-count charge bordering on offering gratification of N5 million to Mrs.

    The anti-graft agency alleges that Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia, while serving as a justice of the Federal High Court, Lagos, unjustly enriched herself by illegally receiving $793,800 from various sources between 2012 and 2015 in three Diamond Bank accounts.

    The witness told the court that he filled the account opening forms himself but that they were executed and signed by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    He also said that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is the signatory to the account Nigel and Colive which is a corporate account.

    The witness also told the court how cash deposits ranging from N900,000 to N8.8 million were made by him on behalf of the judge into her corporate account with the bank.

    He said the money were either picked up from either her office, her home or from her Bureau De Change operative and that he made all the deposits himself on her behalf.

    Counsel to Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia, Omotola Akonni (SAN), however, requested for permission to cross-examine Mr Oshodi at the next date of adjournment.

    “I hereby request for time to cross-examine the witness at the next adjourned date, I just came in from a proceeding at the Federal High Court and I need time to settle and prepare adequately,” he said.

    Justice Hakeem Oshodi granted the request of the senior lawyer and adjourned to March 10 for cross-examination of the prosecution witness and March 17 for a continuation of trial.”

    Counsel to Obla, Mr, I.A Adedipe, in his submission, also requested that the international passport of his client earlier handed over to the court as part of his bail conditions should be released to enable him travel abroad.

    In his ruling, Justice Oshodi granted Adedipe’s request for the release of his passport.

    “The Chief Registrar shall release the passport of the second defendant to travel overseas from February 5 to March 5 and return his passport to the Chief Registrar on or before March. 6″, he ordered.