Embattled former Judge of the Federal High Court, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, was on Wednesday re-arraigned before a Federal High Court in Lagos, over charges bordering on corruption and unlawful enrichment.
The embattled former judge was re-arraigned alongside Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who was a former prosecutor of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Tribune Online recalls that EFCC had earlier arraigned the duo on a 30-count charge bordering on corruption before an Ikeja High Court.
But Justice Hakeem Oshodi struck out the charge against Mrs Ofili-Ajumogobia and Mr Obla on the grounds that the court lacked the jurisdiction to entertain the suit.
The anti-graft agency swiftly arrested the former judge as she was leaving the Ikeja High Court premises after the charges against her and Obla were struck.
Ajumomogobia and Obla were on Wednesday re-arraigned before Justice Rilwan Aikawa.
The duo pleaded not guilty to an 18-count charge bordering on unlawful enrichment, taking property unlawfully, corruption, forgery and giving false information.
In a ruling granting bail to the defendant, the trial judge adopted the same terms and conditions granted to justice Ajumogobia on 18th of April.
Obla was, however, present in court as against the last time when he was absent.
Ajumogobia was granted bail at the same time and conditions earlier granted when the former was first arraigned in the sum of N10 million 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.
“The defendant must deposit his international passport with the deputy chief registrar of the court.
“The defendant shall endeavour to fulfil the conditions within 10-days or the bail will be revoked.
“The defendant shall be released to his lead counsel, Chief Fedenand Obi SAN, pending the expiration of 10 days.
Obla’s counsel Chief Fedenand Obi SAN asked the court to take judicial notice of the fact that Obla is a senior Advocate of Nigeria and he was called to bar in 1984.
“My Lord, the defence is a senior member of the bar, he was called to bar in 1984, he became senior Advocate of Nigeria in 2013, I urge my Lord to grant bail on Libra terms.
EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo on his part left the issue of bail to the discretion of the court but urge the judge to impose the terms and conditions that will ensure the presence of the defendant during trial.
Ajumogobia’s lawyer Chief Robbort Clerk SAN, however, informed the court of a pending motion filed on the 13th of May challenging the jurisdiction of the court from ent Justice Aikawa adjourned the case to 23rd of May to agued the preliminary objection.
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