OFILI-AJUMOGOBIA-The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC) has closed its case against the Federal High Court Judge, who is standing trial on a 31-count charge bordering on the perversion of the course of justice, unlawful enrichment and forgery.
Both Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia and her fellow accused one Godwin Obla who is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) were first docked in November 2016 on a 30-count charge to which was later amended to 31-count charge. The two accused pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them before a Lagos High Court presided over by Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
In a new development to the high profile case, the anti-graft agency released a statement saying it has closed its case that has dragged for almost three years.
The statement by EFCC reads:
EFCC, on Friday, September 14, 2018 closed its case against a Federal High Court Judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Ikeja, Lagos. .
Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, on a 31-count charge bordering on an alleged perversion of the course of justice, unlawful enrichment and forgery.
Ofili-Ajumogobia was alleged to have received a sum of $793,800 in several tranches from different sources between 2012 and 2015
On his part, Obla was said to have offered a sum of N5m 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 defendants pleaded not guilty to the 31-count charge, thereby leading to their full trial. .
During the course of the proceedings, the prosecution presented 12 witnesses and tendered several documents that were admitted in evidence by the court.
At the resumed sitting today, the prosecution, through its counsel, Nnaemeka Omewa, closed its case against the defendants.
In response, counsel to the first defendant, Mobolaji Kuti, informed the court that his client intended to file a no-case submission and further asked the court for a short date to move the application.
Also, counsel to the second defendant, I.A. Adedipe, SAN, also told the court of his client’s intention to file a no-case submission.
Consequently, Justice Oshodi adjourned the case to November 2, 2018 for the defendants to open their defence.
…the statement concludes…