The founder, Cheif Executive Officer of Arkleel Oil and Gas, Dr Gregory Ero, on Friday, lamented before an Ikeja High Court how embattled Federal High Court Judge, Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia stopped picking his calls after she borrowed N18 million from him to buy a property in the United Kingdom.
Ero, who testified as ninth prosecution witness for the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) in the ongoing bribery and corruption trial of Ajumogobia and a lawyer, Godwin Obla (SAN), claimed despite Ajumogobia’s promise to repay the money after sometime, she stopped picking his calls.
“I knew Ajumogobia sometimes in 2002 before she became a Federal High Court Judge. She was employed when we outsourced for a secretary.
“She was paid ad hoc fees as we did not have a a regular structure as of then. She worked with us for two years before she was appointed a judge.
“She came to our office one day after she stopped working with us and sought to have a private audience with me. I obliged and she asked for a loan of N18 million because she had pressing needs.
“I enquired what the urgency was about and Ajumogobia told me that she had a shortfall of N18m for a property she wanted to buy in the UK as she needed to move out of the family house immediately.
“As a Christian I obliged her request and also based on the fact that she is known to me. She went further to tell me that she had properties which would generate rent while also giving me a payment plan for the repayment of the loan.
“Sadly after a year, she did not pay back. I started calling her and she would pick my calls. But between 2012 and 2013 she stopped picking my calls.
“I personally went to her house but I was turned back at the gate when I was informed that she was not around. I went to her house more than twenty times but I was always turned back at the gate.
“I am disappointed in Ajumogobia as I found her actions bizarre. Up till now, she has refused to pay back my money. I still need my money as the money was taken from our retail earnings. I have not written it off, I still need my money,” he said.
Also testifying, a Deputy Comptroller General of Customs, Tahir Audu Musa, told the court that the Comptroller General of Customs Abdullai Dikko Inde gave him a slip of paper which contained the name, Nigel and Colive, a company owned by Ajumogobia.
“The DG sometimes in 2014 called me back and gave me the name of the company directing me to tell one Musa Omale to liase with some area comptrollers and transfer N1 million each to Omale’s account for onward transfer to the company’s account.
“The Customs Commands mentioned are: Apapa, Tincan Island, Kirikiri Landing Terminal, Murtala Mohammed, Federal and Sea, Onne Air and Ogun State Command, Tahir said.
The witness however, said that he did not know why the money was paid into Nigel and Colive’s account.
Further during the proceedings, Obla’s counsel, Ferdinand Oby (SAN), informed the court of his decision to withdraw two earlier applications seeking severance and separate trial by his client.
Oby also informed the court of an application seeking the release of his client’s international passport in order for him to travel to Houston, Texas, United States for medical purposes.
Ajumogobia’s counsel, Olawale Akoni SAN, also applied for a 30 days medical leave for his client, on the grounds of ill health.
EFCC prosecutor, Rotimi Oyedepo, however, objected to Ajumogobia’s application on the grounds that it was a ploy by the defense to stall the trial.
After listening to all the arguments, Justice Hakeem Oshodi adjourned the matter till June 1, to rule in the applications.
Ajumogobia was accused by the EFCC of receiving a total of $793, 800 in several tranches from different sources between 2012 and 2015.
The judge was further accused of forging and giving false information to EFCC operatives by claiming to be on admission in Lagos which was found out to be false, an offence contrary to section 39 (2)a of the EFCC Establishment Act.
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