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Tag: Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia

  • N5m alleged bribe: Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia slumps in court

    A former judge of a federal high court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumobogia, yesterday slumped in court.

    Justice Ajumogobia, who did not betray any emotion on entering the court in the morning slumped in the court, a few minutes before the commencement of proceedings in the alleged graft suit preferred against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) at an Ikeja High Court

    It was gathered that the  former judge was rushed to the hospital in an ambulance belonging to the Lagos State judiciary.

    The development forced the trial judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, to adjourn court proceedings in the charge against her till January 26.

    The adjournment was sequel to a request by her lead counsel, Mr. Robert Clarke, SAN.

    As at last sitting, the court had fixed yesterday to hear the no case submission of Ajumogobia and Obla.

    Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside Obla (SAN) on a 31-count charge bordering on an alleged perversion of the course of justice, unlawful enrichment and forgery proffered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    Oshodi, while fixing the date to hear the no case application, had ordered counsel  to by the adjourned date, “tidy up” all applications to ensure that the court attends to them simultaneously, saving precious judicial time.

    Earlier during proceedings, Mr Robert Clarke (SAN) defence counsel to Ajumogobia, had informed the court that he had filed a Motion on Notice dated October 23 challenging the jurisdiction and competency of the court to hear the case.

    He, however, noted that he intended but was yet to file a no-case submission before the court.

    Mr Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Obla’s defence counsel, in his submission, informed the court that he had filed a no-case submission dated September 14 but was yet to receive a response from the EFCC.

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    Responding, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, admitted to receiving Adedipe’s no-case submission, but noted that he was waiting to receive a similar application from Clarke.

    “I  await the first defendant’s counsel to approach me because it is not tidy for me to respond to both applications separately,” Oyedepo said.

    The anti-graft agency had alleged that Ofili-Ajumogobia illegally received a sum of $793,800 in several tranches from different sources between 2012 and 2015.

    On his part, Obla (SAN) was alleged by the EFCC to have offered a sum of N5million as gratification to Ofili-Ajumogobia so as to pervert the course of justice.

    The offences are contrary to Sections 64(1), 82(a) and 69(1) (a) of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State No. 11, 2011

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) had at its 87th meeting which was held on October 3, under the chairmanship of Justice Walter Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, recommended the dismissal of Ofili-Ajumogobia as a judge.

    The recommendation for dismissal was  on the strength of petitions filed to the NJC containing allegations of corruption against her by Mr Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the EFCC.

  • 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 its branch as at when the account was opened.
    A worker of the bank, Ademola Oshodi, said this yesterday to the court at the resumed trial of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Chief Godwin Obla before 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 firm’s directors 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 Obla are jointly being charged by the EFCC for allegedly perverting the course of justice.
    Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia is facing a 26-count 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.
    Obla, on the other hand, is facing a two-count bordering for allegedly offering gratification of N5 million to Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia.
    The anti-graft agency alleged 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 said Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is the signatory to the account Nigel and Colive, which is a corporate account.
    The witness 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 the deposits himself on her behalf.
    Counsel to Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia, Omotola Akonni (SAN) requested for permission to cross-examine 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 witness and March 17 for continuation of trial.”
    Counsel to Obla, Mr. I.A. Adedipe, in his submission, 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.

  • 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.

  • Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia ‘transferred’ to Illorin 

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia ‘transferred’ to Illorin 

    A week after the National Judicial Council (NJC) barred her from elevation to the Court of Appeal, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Lagos, has been transferred to Illorin Division in Kwara State.

    It was learnt that the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, approved her transfer.

    It could not be confirmed when she will resume in her new division.

    Sources said Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia may return to deliver judgment in cases she has concluded, such as the one involving a former Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA) Director-General Temisan Omatseye who was charged with contracts splitting.

    Other cases before her, such as trial of a former Union Bank Managing Director ‎Bartholomew Ebong, may begin afresh.

    Deputy Chief Registrar, Lagos Division, Mr Bello Okandeji, said he was not aware that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia has been transferred.

    “I’m hearing about it for the first time from you,” he said when our correspondent sought confirmation from him.

    A week ago, the NJC, in a statement by its Acting Director, Information, Soji Oye, placed Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia on its “watch list” for four years over misconduct.

    She is also not to be considered for any elevation to the Court of Appeal or included in any ad hoc judicial appointment till her retirement from the Bench.

    The penalties took immediate effect.

    The NJC’s decision, taken at its meeting on February 24 and 25, was based on its findings that the judge failed to deliver judgement in a pre-election case.

    It was alleged she delayed her verdict until the expiration of the tenure of the person whose qualification for election was being challenged.

    NJC statement reads: “The NJC, under the Chairmanship of Justice Mahmud Mohammed, at its meeting on February 24 and 25, 2016 decided to warn Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and put her on the ‘watch-list’ of the council for the next four years.

    “The judge will also not be considered for any elevation to the Court of Appeal or any ad hoc judicial appointment till her retirement from the Bench.

    “The decision was sequel to the petition written against her by Victoria Ayeni, alleging misconduct and injustice on the part of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia for failing to deliver judgment in Suit No FHC/AB/CS/31/2011, a pre-election matter between Victoria A. A. Ayeni and Olusola Sonuga and two Ors.

    “She was also alleged to have adjourned the pre-election matter severally until the termination of the life span of the Ogun State House of Assembly.

    The decision of the Council on Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is with immediate effect.”

  • EFCC asks judge to hands off Atuche, Ojo’s trial

    EFCC asks judge to hands off Atuche, Ojo’s trial

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, to withdraw from adjudicating the trial of former Managing Directors of Bank PHB Plc and Spring Bank Plc, Francis Atuche and Charles Ojo respectively.

    The trial was fixed for Tuesday, but it did not go on, and no new date was fixed.

    After a brief meeting with the judge in chambers, Atuche’s lawyer, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN), came out of the court, visibly angry.

    Speaking to reporters outside the courtroom, he accused the EFCC of “selecting” which judges would try their cases.

    “EFCC is choosing which judge to hear their cases,” Idigbe alleged.

    Atuche and Ojo were among bank chiefs sensationally arraigned in 2009 for allegedly granting loans without security.

    It was learnt that EFCC requested that the case be transferred to another judge because Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is from the same state (Delta) as the first defendant (Atuche).

    It was also learnt that the judge indicated that she would return the case-file to the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta for re-assignment to another judge.

    When asked what transpired in the chambers, EFCC’s lawyer, Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN), declined comments.

    He also did not elaborate when asked why the case did not go on again, but said his witnesses who were on subpoena were in court.

    Asked if it was true that the case-file would be returned to the Chief Judge for re-assignment to another judge, Pinheiro said: “Was it announced in court?”

    Atuche and Ojo were first arraigned on October 20, 2009 on 45- count charge.

    They were accused of granting questionable loans to the tune of N125 billion without board approval.

    Their case has gone through two judges of the Federal High Court, before their fresh re-arraignment on November 15 last year before Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.