Akinwale Akintunde
The embattled Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, has challenged the jurisdiction of an Ikeja High Court to try her in an alleged corruption case preferred against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside EFCC prosecutor, Mr. Godwin Obla (SAN) before Justice Hakeem Oshodi on a 30-count charge, bordering on perversion of the course of justice, graft, unlawful enrichment, providing false information to EFCC and forgery.
The EFCC alleged that about $793,800 passed through the judge’s domiciliary accounts between 2012 and 2015.
The judge allegedly used the money to buy a house in London.
In the charge with suit No: LD/367/C/16, the anti-graft agency insisted that the defendants allegedly committed the offence on May 24, 2015, when they conspired to pervert the course of justice with the sum of N5 million.
The said sum, according to the EFCC, was said to have been transferred to one Nigel & Colive Limited in relation to a charge number FHC/L/C/482/10.
The commission maintained that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is the sole signatory to Nigel & Colive Limited, adding that both defendants conspired to pervert the course of justice in contravention of the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
The EFCC alleged that the N5 million paid by Obla through his company’s account was to restrain a public officer from acting in exercise of her official duties.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia was equally alleged to have made a false statement to the EFCC that she was on admission at one Gold Cross Hospital at Bourdillon, Ikoyi in Lagos which statement was later found to be false.
The anti-graft agency insisted that the offences are contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State 2011 as well as the EFCC (establishment) Act, 2004.
But the judge, through her lawyers, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) and Chief Robert Clark (SAN), filed an application dated April 5, 2017, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to adjudicate over her matter.
Clarke, while addressing the court, said they have two pending applications and they are yet to receive a response from the court.
Responding, EFCC counsel, Idris A. Mohammed, told the court that the prosecution was served with three applications by the 1st defendant dated March 7, 29 and April 5, 2017. Justice Oshodi, however, pointed out that the application challenging the jurisdiction of the court was not ripe for hearing.
Meanwhile, Obla’s lawyer, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), urged the court not to adjourn the matter but should allow the proceedings to continue for the sake of the 2nd defendant.
At that point, Clarke offered to temporarily withdraw the said application if it would affect the trial of the second defendant.
Justice Oshodi thereafter adjourned the matter till April 28 as previously fixed for hearing of the application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.
