Court Fixes April 28 For Hearing Of Ofili-Ajumogobia’s Application
Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja yesterday fixed April 28 for the hearing of an application filed by the suspended judge of Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, challenging the jurisdiction of the court to try her.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia in the application filed by her new counsel, Robert Clarke (SAN) argued among other things that she is only subject to the discipline of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and not of the court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla before the court on a 30-count charge of conspiracy to pervert justice by allegedly giving and receiving a bribe of N5 million.
The anti-graft agency had also alleged that about $793,800 passed through the Justice Ajumogobia’s domiciliary accounts with Access Bank between 2012 and 2015 and that she allegedly used the money to buy a house in London.
The other charges filed against the embattled judge border on forgery, lying, unlawful enrichment and other related offenses.
They both pleaded not guilty to the charge.
When the case was called on Monday, Clarke announced appearance for Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.
He led another senior advocate, Wale Akoni who had been in the matter from the beginning.
Clarke told the court that he had filed and served an application challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the case.
Counsel to Obla, Ifedayo Adedipe, urged the court to hear the application alongside the suit in order to speed up the trial.
Adedipe said, “My Lord, it is my humble submission that having regard to the Administration of Criminal Justice Law that this issue be taken with the substantive suit even though it is a joint trial.
Justice Oshodi did not grant the request but adjourned the case until April 28 for hearing of the application.
The judge also rejected a move by Clarke to temporarily withdraw the application so that an earlier application seeking permission for Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia to travel abroad for medical treatment could be heard.
He insisted that the application challenging the court’s jurisdiction must be heard first before the court can hear the application.
Four prosecution witnesses: three bankers and one bureau-de-change operator have so far testified in the trial for the prosecution.
The witnesses gave accounts of how they allegedly helped the judge launder large sums of money in foreign and local currencies from her home and the judge’s chambers at the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos, into various bank accounts registered in her name.
