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Tag: Ofili-Ajumogobia

  • Is Ofili-Ajumogobia on trial for jailing ex-NIMASA DG?

    These are indeed strange times. These are times when the rule of the thumb has become the normal. And nothing we know is as it should be. For the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC), you cannot be sure what is right and what is not as they are determined by variables outside the reasoning of the law and common sense.

    In the fight against corruption embarked on by President Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government, it is difficult to understand the motive or even why the administration would choose not to maintain a standard understandable rule in the so-called fight. From targeting perceived enemies or opponents, the government has since moved to judges, organising sting operations and putting some people almost perpetually under lock and key.

    But I am still at a loss as to why the anti-corruption agency, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has put the duo of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla (SAN) on trial. It really beats my imagination that the acting chairman of the EFCC, Ibrahim Magu, a lawyer could give his nod for such a charade to go on.

    Of course, the EFCC has filed a 30 count charge against the Federal High Court Judge and Godwin Obla, who until recently, a Counsel of the anti-graft agency. At the heart of the charge is the allegation that Obla offered Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia the sum of N5 million to pervert the course of justice in FHC/1/C/482C/10. Interestingly, the EFCC has included such other charges as corrupt enrichment, money laundering and conspiracy to fit into a regular pattern of all other cases before the courts so as to give the media and the general public enough to chew while the high drama lasts.

    However, it should be a cause of concern for all lovers of democracy as well as those who voted for the President to pause awhile and ponder why the government decided to prosecute Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla ostensibly for alleged bribery. Could the government truly be sure that it is doing this as part of its anti-corruption agenda?

    While the government wants us to believe that the trial is as been presented at the Federal High Court where the two suspects have been charged, I make bold to say that deductions from the courtroom point to a different direction.  Perhaps, some elucidation may be necessary. If indeed Obla bribed Ofili-Ajumogobia, it means the former had a case before the latter, the outcome of which was manipulated through the bribe to perpetrate injustice. Anything short of this is incongruous and does not stand to reason.

    It beats the imagination that the said senior advocate could be said to have offered bribe, ostensibly on behalf of the EFCC to have Omatseye jailed. Why would he have done that? Was it the EFCC that provided the said N5million? Why must monetary inducement come in before conviction could be secured? So many questions begging for answers.

    More importantly, if indeed Obla bribed Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia to have the ex-NIMASA DG jailed in case no FHC/1/C/482C/10, should the EFCC not be contented that a conviction, no matter how it was obtained, was the outcome of the case? Magu ought to be excited that despite alleged frustrations in the judicial process; at least his agency was able to get this case through. And in the same manner, Obla and Justice Ofili-Ajugomobia ought to be toasts of the anti-graft agency.

    Rather than get commendation for diligent prosecution, the EFCC decided to put the duo in the dock for alleged corruption, an action which undoubtedly deserves close scrutiny. Nigerians need to know why the tables suddenly turned against them.

    Already, there are suggestions that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia has been put up for the guillotine mainly because of her blunt refusal to play ball in some high cases before her court. She is also said to have courted the wrath of the powers that be in Abuja when she let go a former Minister of Aviation, Chief Femi Fani-Kayode.  If this was not the case, I do not see what other motives government can proffer as explanation for its present cause of action. In any case, why would the EFCC present separate facts to the media during so called investigation from what it has taken to the court?

    Notwithstanding that the government would want us to believe otherwise, it has become obvious that the travail of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is not isolated. That it follows after an established pattern that has seen other judges and justices being put on trial for alleged corruption.

    Two Supreme Court judges namely Justices Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro are today under investigation or being tried for corruption. Others are the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Ladan Tsamiya, who was picked up in Sokoto; Justice Adeniyi Ademola (Federal High Court); the Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike;  Justice Kabiru Auta of Kano State High Court;  Justice Muazu Pindiga (Gombe State High Court);  Justice Bashir Sukola and  Justice Ladan Manir from the Kaduna State High Court.

    Plausible as the trial of the judges may seem, it is more than a coincidence that almost all of them had at various times in the past dished out judgements against the APC. Those who did not fall into this category had earlier been indicted by the National Judicial Commission (NJC) and recommended for prosecution, making the action of government a somewhat overkill.

    Sadly, the Buhari’s government has often gone after straws and haystacks in the fight against corruption. Media trial and self-help, including the use of brute force and outright intimidation have become indices and standard gauge for measuring all it has done so far. You don’t have to look far to see this negative imprints in the activities of the EFCC, department of State Security Services (SSS), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), etc.

    Yet, the administration seem unperturbed by the myriad of criticisms against the style adopted so far in the fight against corruption, daily losing credibility and the support of millions who voted for it in 2015. Neither is it bothered that even the international community has taken note of its approach and tokenism in a critical sector where transparency and absence of bias should be the abiding mantra.

    If only President Buhari and the anti-corruption agencies are aware of the consequences of their actions.

     

    • Garba, a Public Affairs analyst writes from Gusau.
  • Witness to court: how Ofili-Ajumogobia used uncompleted building to open account

    Witness to court: how Ofili-Ajumogobia used uncompleted building to open account

    An Ikeja High Court yesterday heard how Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, used an uncompleted building to open a corporate account with Diamond Bank Plc.
    A prosecution witness and staff of the bank, Mr Ademola Oshodi, spoke yesterday before the court presided by Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
    Oshodi, who was led in evidence by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, gave the name of the judge’s corporate account as Nigel & Colive with number 0036103605.
    He said the requirements for opening such accounts include filing of a corporate account form and submission and verification of necessary documents of the company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
    The witness said Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia satisfied all the account opening requirements except for the address given as the company’s corporate office, 18, Lai Bende St, Fajuyi Estate.
    He said the property on the address turned out to be an uncompleted building owned by the judge.
    The witness said the property being a building under construction could have stalled the opening of a corporate account in her favour but the bank went ahead to open the account based on the fact that the judge was a good customer.
    “Before opening the corporate account for Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, she filled a corporate account opening form and submitted the company’s documents which was verified from Corporate Affairs Commission.
    “We also did a physical visitation to the company’s address given as 18, Lai Bende St, Fajuyi Estate and found that the building was still under construction but because Justice Ajumogobia is our customer and we knew that the property belong to her we proceeded to open the count.”
    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, are facing a 30-count charge bordering on perversion of justice, graft, unlawful enrichment, providing false information to the EFCC and forgery.
    Four of the charges directly affected Obla and are centred on an alleged N5 million bribe given to the judge by the senior advocate.
    The remaining 26 charges are on the huge transactions that passed through the personal and corporate accounts of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.
    The EFCC alleged that about $793,800 passed through the judge’s domiciliary accounts between 2012 and 2015 and that the judge used the money to buy a house in London.
    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla pleaded not guilty to all the charges and were granted bail on self recognisance.
    At the resumed sitting of the court yesterday, Oshodi gave insight into how he moved foreign currencies into the domiciliary and corporate account of the judge.
    Oshodi, while being led in evidence by Oyedepo, told the court that he managed the bank accounts of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, with number 0029928474, 0032091183 and 0036103605.
    The witness said he introduced Abba Said, a Bureau de Change operator, to the judge.
    The banker added that he usually visited Justice Ofiili-Ajumogobia at home and in her chamber at the Federal High Court on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos to collect huge cash mostly in dollars to be deposited in the judge’s account.
    Justice Oshidi adjourned the matter to January 30 for continuation of trial.

  • How Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia used uncompleted building to open corporate account

    How Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia used uncompleted building to open corporate account

    An Ikeja High Court on Monday heard how Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court, Ilorin, used an uncompleted building to open a corporate account with Diamond Bank Plc.
    A prosecution witness and staff of the Bank, Mr Ademola Oshodi disclosed this  before the court presided by Justice Hakeem Oshodi.

    Oshodi, who was led in evidence by counsel to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Rotimi Oyedepo, gave the name of the judge’s corporate account as Nigel & Colive with number 0036103605.
    He said the requirements for opening such accounts includes filling of a Corporate Account form and submission and verification of necessary documents of the company with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC).
    The witness said Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia satisfied all the account opening requirements except for the address given as the company’s corporate office, 18, Lai Bende St, Fajuyi Estate.
    He said the property on the address turned out to be an uncompleted building owned by the judge.
    The witness said the property being a building under construction could have stalled the opening of a corporate account in her favour but the bank went ahead to open the account based on the fact that the judge is a good customer of the bank and the fact that the uncompleted building is owned by her.

    “Before opening the corporate account for Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, she filled a corporate account opening form and submitted the company’s documents which was verified from Corporate Affairs Commission.
    “We also did a physical visitation to the company’s address given as 18, Lai Bende St, Fajuyi Estate and found that the building was still under construction but because Justice Ajumogobia is our customer and we knew that the property belong to her we proceeded to open the count.”, he said.

    The EFCC had arraihnef Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Mr. Godwin Obla (SAN) on November 28, 2016 before Justice Oshodi .
    They are facing  a 30-count charge offence bordering on perversion of the course of justice, graft, unlawful enrichment, providing false information to the EFCC and forgery.

    Four of the charges directly affected Obla and are centred on an alleged N5 million bribe given to the judge by the senior advocate.
    The remaining 26 charges are on the huge transactions that passed through the personal and corporate accounts of Jusyice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    The EFCC alleged that about $793,800 passed through the judge’s domiciliary accounts between 2012 and 2015 and that the judge  used the money to buy a house in London.

    Both Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla pleaded not guilty to all the charges and were granted bail on self a recognition.

    At the resumed sitting of the court on Monday Oshodi further gave insight into how he moved foreign currencies into the domiciliary and corporate account of the judge.

    Oshodi, while being led in evidence by counsel to the EFCC, Oyedepo, told the court that he managed the bank accounts of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, with number 0029928474, 0032091183 and 0036103605 domiciled in the bank.

    The witness also reiterated that he introduced one Abba Said, a Bureau de Change operative to the judge when there was a need to change some of the dollars to naira.

    The banker reiterated that  he usually visited Justice Ofiili-Ajumogobia’s at home and in her chamber at the  Federal High Court on Oyinkan Abayomi Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos to collect huge cash sums mostly in dollars to be deposited in the judge’s account.

    Justice Oshidi adjourned the matter to January 30 for continuation of trial.

    Note some details of transaction:

    May 3, 2013  – a deposit of #10,000 into domiciliary account
    May 6, 2013 – a deposit of #10,000 into domiciliary account
    May 10, 2013 – a deposit of #120,000 into domiciliary account
    June 11, 2013 – a deposit of #120,000 into domiciliary account
    July 2013 – deposit of #10,000 by one E.M. Soji into domiciliary account

    July 24, 2013 – deposit of #10,000 by Umar Audu into domiciliary account
    August 28, 2013- #31,018 being outward wire transfer  to Ajumogobia foreign account

    August 30, 2013 – deposit of #20,000 by Biliyaminu Inuwa into domiciliary account

    September 20, 2013 – outward foreign exchange transfer into Ajumogobia foreign account
    October  9, 2013 – #10,000 foreign exchange outward transfer into Ajumogobia foreign account

  • EFCC prays court not to order release of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia

    EFCC prays court not to order release of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has asked a Federal High Court in Lagos to refuse an application by Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia seeking immediate release from the custody of the commission.

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia had filed a fundamental rights enforcement suit seeking immediate release from custody of the commission.

    The judge was arrested  November 8 and detained while the commission was investigating  the source of about $793,800 which the EFCC claimed passed through her domiciliary accounts between 2012 and 2015.

    Her counsel, Mr. Moyosore Onigbanjo (SAN), contended before the court presided over by Justice Musilim Hassan that the continued detention of his client was a violation of her right.

    Onigbanjo contended that even the remand order obtained by the EFCC to detain her had since elapsed.

    The EFCC, through its counsel, Mr. Abdullahi Idris, urged the court not to order the release of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, saying it was afraid that the detained judge would tamper with its evidence if released on bail.

    “The applicant (Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia) was inducing and interfering with our investigation since after she was released on bail which formed the basis of the revocation of the bail earlier granted her,” Idris told Justice Muslim Hassan who is presiding over the case.

    He said investigation by the EFCC had “yielded serious positive result,” leading to the filing of a criminal charge against the judge before Justice T. Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja.

    He said Justice Oshodi had fixed next Monday, November 28, 2016 for the arraignment of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.

    He said ordering the release of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia from custody would prejudice the charge pending before Justice Oshodi and urged Justice Hassan to refuse the judge’s application.

    According to him, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia initially failed to honour the invitation by the EFCC to appear for an interview in its office.

    He said when she was called on the phone to ask why she did not honour the invitation, the judge sent a message to the EFCC that she was sick and was on admission at Gold Cross Hospital, Bourdillon Road, Ikoyi, Lagos.

    “When operatives of the EFCC visited the hospital, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was not on admission and her name was not on the list of admitted patients at the hospital”, he said.

    Idris claimed that the EFCC operative foiled an attempt by the Managing Director of the hospital to hurriedly insert the judge’s name into the hospital’s patients’ list.

    He claimed that the Managing Director of the hospital in connivance with another doctor allegedly planned to sneak Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia into the hospital through the back door.

    He said the judge’s brother, one Donald, later came in to speak with EFCC operatives, adding that it was during that period that the judge came out with a drip, “ and we simply ignored her’’, he said.

    Idris further told Justice Hassan that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia told operatives of the EFCC that part of the money found in her account were proceeds of the sale of landed properties located in Delta and Asaba states bequeathed to her by her mother, Mrs. Cordella Ofili.

    He said the judge could not show them the said properties when the EFCC operatives travelled with her to Asaba and Delta states to verify her claims.

    He added that during the return journey to Lagos, operatives of the EFCC found different phones on her with which she was “busy communicating with unknown persons while covering herself with a cloth in the vehicle.”

    The trial judge, Justice Hassan has adjourned judgment in the matter till November 29.

  • Ofili-Ajumogobia ‘moved’ to Illorin

    Ofili-Ajumogobia ‘moved’ 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 the Chief Judge, Justice Ibrahim Auta, approval her transfer.

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

    Sources said Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia might return to deliver judgment in cases she had concluded, such as that involving ex-Director-General, Nigeria Maritime Administration and Safety (NIMASA)  Temisan Omatseye, charged with contract-splitting.

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

    Deputy Chief Registrar of Lagos Division Mr Bello Okandeji said he was not aware she was transferred.

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

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

    It said she was not to be considered for elevation to the Court of Appeal or included in any 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 findings that the judge failed to rule 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 challenged.

  • Who is Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia?

    Who is Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia?

    Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia is a judge of the Federal High Court. She is 15th in the court’s hierarchy of judges of 83. In the Lagos Division where she sits, she is the third most senior judge, behind Justice Saliu Saidu and Justice Mojisola Olatoregun-Ishola.

    Born in 1959 in Delta State, she will turn 57 on May 21.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia studied at the Greycoatos Prep School, London, after which she returned to Nigeria to attend the Federal Government Girls College and the Baptist Girls High School, Benin City, where she obtained her West African School Certificate.

    She read law at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife, Osun State, and attended the Lagos campus of the Nigeria Law School on Victoria Island.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia obtained her Master’s in Law (LL.M) from the University of Jos, Plateau State.

    A member of the Chartered Institute of Arbitration, Angel Gate, London,  she did her National Youth Service Corps. (NYSC) programme as a lecturer in Evidence and Procedure, Police College (Advanced Training Wing) Ikeja, from 1984 to 1985.

    She was hired by the firm of Kehinde Sofola & Co., Lagos, where she did her pupillage, before she secured employment in Habib Nigeria Bank Ltd. (now Skye Bank) from 1986 to 1990. She rose to become assistant manager (Legal). From 1990 to 1993, she was company secretary/legal adviser at Unity Life of Fire Insurance Ltd.

    She was admitted as a principal partner, Ofili & Ajumogobia in 1993, following a partnership with Mr. Donald Ofili until November 2003.

    Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was sworn in as a Notary Public 1998.

    On November 7, 2004, she was appointed a judge of the Federal High Court. She is married to Mr Soboma Seniapuye Ajumagobia and has two children, Aribim and Nairobi.

    Her father, McDonald Ofili, was also a judge; her mother, Cordelia Ofili, was a justice of the peace (JP).

    In 2013, she allegedly assaulted a clerical officer Mr. Israel Okodugha, with the officer’s father petitioning the chief judge.

    Last May, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia detained an American, Megan Chapman, in a prison room within the court for operating her mobile phone while court was sitting.