By Sandra Umeh
The EFCC has preferred a 30-count charge against a Federal High Court Judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, and Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.
In the charge listed as number LD/367/C/16, Ofili-Ajumogobia was listed as first defendant, while Obla was named as second defendant.
The defendants were said to have committed the offence on May 21, 2015 by conspiring to pervert the course of justice with five million naira.
The money was alleged to have been transferred to one Nigel & Colive Ltd. in relation to a charge number FHC/L/C/482/10.
Ajumogobia is said to be a sole signatory to Nigel & Colive Ltd.
Both defendants were said to have conspired to pervert the course of justice in contravention of the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011.
In counts one to four, Obla was said to have offered gratification by transferring the money from his company’s account, Obla & Co., domiciled with the United Bank for Africa, to Nigel & Colive.
The transfer was alleged to have been made in order to restrain a public officer from acting in exercise of her official duties.
In counts five, Ajumogobia was said to have unlawfully enriched herself by receiving a transfer of N18 million from one Arkleem Oil and Gas Ltd. in her Diamond Bank account.
In counts six to 20, the judge was alleged to have also received a transfer of monies from various outlets to her Diamond Bank account to the tune of over 788,000 dollars.
In count 29, the judge was alleged to have forged a deed of assignment between a company, County City Bricks Dev. Co. Ltd and Nigel & Colive Ltd.
In counts 30, the judge was further alleged to have made a false statement to the EFCC that she was on admission at Gold Cross Hospital at Bourdillion, Ikoyi, which statement was found to be false.
All the offences are said to be contrary to the provisions of the Criminal Laws of Lagos State, 2011 as well as the EFCC (Establishment) Act, 2004.
No date has been fixed for the arraignment of the accused.
