Alleged Money Laundering: Obla’s Request Stalls Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s Fraud Trial

A Federal High Court in Lagos on Monday suspended proceedings
until February 6, 2020 in the Money Laundering trial of a former
Judge of the Federal High Court, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia.

Justice Mohammed Aikawa said that proceedings would be suspended
to await the outcome of a letter to the chief judge of the court,
seeking re-assignment of the case.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Mrs
Ofili-Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, on
18 counts bordering on conspiracy, unlawful enrichment, retention
of crime proceeds and money laundering.

The defendants were re-arraigned on May 15 but pleaded not
guilty to all the counts.

The court granted them bail in the sum of N10 million each, with
two sureties in like sum.

Robert Clarke appeared for the former judge at all times, while
Ferdinand Orbih appeared for the second defendant, Mr Obla.

When the case was called on Monday, Mr U.U. Buhari appeared for
the prosecution while Messrs Mobolaji Kuti and Ferdinard Orbih
appeared for the first and second defendants, respectively.

Mr Buhari informed the court that the prosecution was ready to
proceed with the trial, but Mr Orbih said that the defence wrote a
letter to the chief judge of the court on November 14, seeking the
re-assignment of the case.

He added that defence notified the trial court of the
development, on November 26, through a letter.

Mr Orbih then urged the court to grant a time frame to enable
the chief judge to respond.

In response, Mr Buhari told the court that he had not seen the
letter and was also not aware if the EFCC was served.

He urged that such a letter should not operate as a stay of
proceedings in the case.

Mr Aikawa consequently adjourned the case.

“I hereby stay proceedings till Feb. 6, pending the decision of
the CJ – chief judge – on the issue,” he said.

The EFCC accused the defendants of conspiracy on May 21, 2014,
to indirectly conceal different sums of money in a bank account of
Nigel & Colive Ltd., a company alleged to be operated by
Ajumogobia.

The commission also alleged that they conspired to retain in the
account, the sum of N500 million, which formed part of proceeds of
unlawful acts.

It said that Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia, on different dates in 2014,
retained sums such as N5 million, 150,000 dollars, 20,000 dollars,
30,000 dollars, 50,000 dollars and 55,000 dollars in the
account.

The EFCC also accused Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia of indirectly
concealing N12 million in the same account, and making a false
statement to the EFCC that the money was from the sale of landed
property.

The alleged offences contravene the provisions of Sections 15
(2) (a) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act,
2011.

(NAN)