Justice Ajumogobia: EFCC Re-arraign Embattled Judge

Justice Ajumogobia: EFCC Re-arraign Embattled Judge

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, has re-arraigned a Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia on allegations of unlawful enrichment, breach of trust, money laundering and giving a false statement.

She was arraigned before Justice Mohammed Liman on an amended 15 count charge dated March 2nd.

Before her re-arraignment, Justice Ajumogobia was docked alongside a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, who had earlier been charged along with her.

The EFCC’s Counsel, Suleiman Suleiman, then applied to the court to withdraw the name of Obla from the charge.

The court granted the request and Obla was accordingly acquitted and discharged.

This paved the way for the re-arraignment of Justice Ajumogobia as the sole defendant in the amended charge marked FHC/L/139c/2019.

In the first count, the EFCC alleged that “Hon. Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili Ajumogobia on or about the 11th day of July, 2014 in Lagos…, indirectly concealed the total sum of N12 million, in the diamond account of Nigel & Colive Limited, a sum she reasonably ought to have known forms part of proceeds of an unlawful act, and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15(2a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act 2011 as amended and punishable under Section 15(3) of the same act.

Justice Ajumogobia pleaded not guilty to all 15 counts.

Her counsel, Mobolaji Kuti then applied to the court to allow her continue on the bail previously granted by his brother judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa who had earlier recused himself from her trial.

Justice Liman granted this request and adjourned to April 21 and 28 for trial.