The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), on Thursday re-arraigned a former judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia over allegation of money laundering.
The embattled former judge was arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa of Federal High Court sitting in Ikoyi, Lagos State.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia pleaded not guilty to the eighteen counts charge brought against her by the anti-graft agency.
Nigerian Tribune recalls that the Commission had first arraigned Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla SAN before the Lagos State High Court, Ikeja on a 30-count charge on November 28, 2016 on offences bordering on perversion of the course of justice, graft, unlawful enrichment, providing false information and forgery.
However, Justice Hakeem Oshodi struck out the charge on April 16 while, ruling on a No Case Submission filed the defendants.
Immediately, the court struck out the charge against the duo, operatives of EFCC re-arrested the embattled judge.
At the Federal High Court, Lagos on Thursday, before Ajumogobia was present but her co-accused, Obla was absent.
EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo informed the court of pending charge against the defendants and also called attention of the judge to the absence of Obla.
He told the court that every attempt made to inform Obla of the pending charge proved abortive.
Oyedepo however, urged the court to take the plea of the embattled judge and make an order to compel second defendant to appear before the court on next adjourned date.
Her counsel,, Wale Akoni (SAN) made an oral application for her bail. He asked the court to take judicial notice of the fact that she is a judicial officer and admit her to bail on self-recognizance.
But the EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo raised objections to the request for bail.
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He told the court to take further judicial notice that there was a decision of the National Judicial Council,(NJC) which has recommended her dismissal.
Oyedepo further said that considering the nature of the case, it will not be in the interest of justice for the bail application to be granted even on self recognizance.
He therefore, urged the court to refuse bail or in the alternative, attach conditions which will compel the accused to be available for trial.
After taking arguments from both lawyers, Justice Aikawa granted bail to the accused.
In his ruling the judge held: “I take judicial notice of the Easter holiday and grant bail in the sum of N10m with one surety in like sum who must have landed property In Lagos.”
” The surety must not be below grade level 16 in the Federal or State Civil Service. Defendant must also deposit her International passport with DCR of the court before 6pm today.”
“The defendant shall endeavor to fulfill the conditions within 10 days or the bail will be revoked. She shall be released to her lead counsel.
“For the second defendant, Order is hereby made for the issuance of summons compelling Godwin Obla to appear before the court on the May 15, for the purpose of trial”.
The court has fixed May 15 for the trial.
Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is standing trial before the court on charges bordering on unlawful enrichment,L, corruption, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC, while Mr. Obla was Charged with bribing her with N5m.