Operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, (EFCC), have visited the home of Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, at Park View Estate in Ikoyi, Lagos.

It was gathered that EFCC officials who stormed the house at about 5:00am, yesterday, conducted a search but, eventually, left after being denied access into the house.

The EFCC went to Justice  Ofili-Ajumogobia’s home to interview her daughter and son, who allegedly did not honour previous invitation from the EFCC.

The anti-graft commission alleged huge sums of money passed through their accounts while some funds were reportedly used to purchase houses abroad from the accounts. They did not meet the judge’s children at home.

Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, are being prosecuted for allegedly perverting the course of justice by the anti-graft agency.

While Ofili-Ajumogobia faces a 26-count charge of unlawful enrichment, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC, among others, Obla is charged with offering gratification in the sum of N5 million, to Ofili-Ajumogobia during her service as a judge.

Both have, however, pleaded not guilty to the charges.


DSS raid: Court shifts Justice Ngwuta’s trial to Jan 18

From: Godwin Tsa, Abuja

A Federal High Court in Abuja has shifted the trial of Justice Sylvester Ngwuta, of the Supreme Court, to January 18, 2017, after his counsel pleaded for more time to study documents relating to the case.

Although the prosecution counsel, Mr.Charles Adeogun-Philips kicked against the request, insisting that the trial should commence, Justice John Tsoho adjourned the case to enable the Justice Ngwuta prepare his defence.

Justice Ngwuta, one of the justices arrested by the Department of States Security Services (DSS), was arraigned on 16-count charge of money laundering and financial crimes. He pleaded not guilty to all the counts.

His counsel and erstwhile attorney general of the Federation, Mr. Kanu Agabi told the court that, although his client was ready and anxious to defend himself, he still had a number of documents to study, so as to prepapre for his defence.

Nigerian-DSS

Agabi predicated his application on section 36 (6) of the 1999 constitution which allows the defence adequate time and facility to defend himself.

Opposing the application, the prosecution counsel Mr. Charles Adeogun-Philips, told the court that it will be unfortunate for the defence counsel to ask for an adjournment since the trial was fixed for yesterday with the consent of all the parties in the matter.

The judge subsequently adjourned to January 18 and 23, 2017 for trial.

He prayed the court to consider the fact that it is a high profile case that requires efficient administration of justice and urged the court to decline the request for adjournment.

“Section 396(4) ACJA provides for a day to day trial upon arraignment until conclusion of the trial. All the materials required for this trial have been placed before the court. I will be asking that this application be rejected” the prosecution said.

In his ruling, Justice Tsoho granted the application and held that the defendant is entitled to ask for an adjournment.

He said, S 36(6)(b) of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which the defence relied on super cede that of S396(4) ACJA which the prosecution hinged his prayers on.

The judge subsequently adjourned to January 18 and 23, 2017 for trial.

Count one of the charge read: “That you Sylvester Nwali Ngwuta, adult, ’M’, 65 years, of No. 2 Yellow Houses, Supreme Court Quarters, Off Shehu Shagari Way, Central District, Abuja, on or about the 4th day of January 2016, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, transferred the total sum of One Hundred and Thirty  Million denominated in, Naira and US Dollars, (N130,000,000.00) to Nwamba Linus Chukwuebuka, a Building Contractor, which sums formed part of the proceeds of an unlawful act and thereby committed an offence contrary to Section 15 (2) (d) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act 2012 (as amended).