BEVERLY HILLS, November 21, (THEWILL) – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filled a 30-count charge against a Federal High Court Judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, and Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), who has prosecuted graft cases on behalf of the agency.
Ajumogobia, listed as the first defendant and Obla, the second defendant, in the charge listed as number LD/367/C/16, were said to have conspired to pervert the course of justice with five million Naira on May 21, 2015 contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011, as well as the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
The money was alleged to have been transferred to one Nigel & Colive Ltd. in relation to a charge number FHC/L/C/482/10 while Ajumogobia is said to be a sole signatory to Nigel & Colive Ltd; An described as a constipation to pervert the course of justice in contravention of the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
In counts one to four, Obla was said to have offered gratification by transferring the money from his company’s account, Obla & Co., domiciled with the United Bank for Africa, to Nigel & Colive in order to restrain a public officer from acting in the exercise of her official duties.
In counts five, Ajumogobia was said to have unlawfully enriched herself by receiving a transfer of N18 million from one Arkleem Oil and Gas Ltd. in her Diamond Bank account.
In counts six to 20, the judge was alleged to have also received a transfer of monies from various outlets to her Diamond Bank account to the tune of over 788,000 dollars while she was alleged to have forged a deed of assignment between a company, County-City Bricks Dev. Co. Ltd and Nigel & Colive Ltd in count 29.
In counts 30, the judge was further alleged to have made a false statement to the EFCC that she was on admission at Gold Cross Hospital at Bourdillion, Ikoyi, which was found to be false.
No date has however been fixed for the arraignment of the accused.
Story by Oputah David
