Court fixes date for hearing of Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia’s no-case submission

An Ikeja High Court has fixed December 14 to hear the no-case
submissions in the ongoing corruption trial of Justice Rita
Ofili-Ajumogobia, a Federal High Court, Lagos judge and Godwin
Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside Obla on a 31-count
charge bordering on an alleged perversion of the course of justice,
unlawful enrichment and forgery proffered by the Economic and
Financial Crimes Commission.

The News Agency of Nigeria reports that Justice Hakeem Oshodi
fixed the date on Friday after hearing the submissions of the
prosecution and defence.

Oshodi, while adjourning, had noted that counsel should by the
adjourned date, “tidy up” all applications to ensure that the court
attends to them simultaneously, saving precious judicial time.

Earlier during proceedings, Robert Clarke (SAN) defence counsel
to Ajumogobia, had informed the court that he had filed a Motion on
Notice dated October 23 challenging the jurisdiction and competency
of the court to hear the case.

He, however, noted that he intended but was yet to file a
no-case submission before the court.

Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN), Obla’s defence counsel, in his
submission, informed the court that he had filed a no-case
submission dated September 14 but was yet to receive a response
from the EFCC.

Responding, Rotimi Oyedepo, the lead prosecuting counsel for the
EFCC, admitted to receiving Adedipe’s no-case submission, but noted
that he was waiting to receive a similar application from
Clarke.

Oyedepo said: “I await the first defendant’s counsel to approach
me because it is not tidy for me to respond to both applications
separately.”

NAN reports that during the previous court proceedings held on
Sepetmber 14, the EFCC had closed its case against Justice
Ofili-Ajumogobia.

In proving its case of corruption against Ofili-Ajumogobia, the
EFCC had presented 12 witnesses and tendered several documents that
were admitted in evidence by the court.

The anti-graft agency had alleged that Ofili-Ajumogobia
illegally received a sum of $793,800 in several tranches from
different sources between 2012 and 2015.

On his part, Obla (SAN) was alleged by the EFCC to have offered
a sum of N5million 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 National Judicial Council had on its 87th meeting which was
held on October 3, under the Chairmanship of Justice Walter
Onnoghen, the Chief Justice of Nigeria recommended the dismissal of
Ofili-Ajumogobia as a judge.

The recommendation for dismissal was as on the strength of
petitions filed to the NJC containing allegations of corruption
against her by Ibrahim Magu, the Acting Chairman of the EFCC.