Emmanuel Ukudolo l November 28, 2016
LAGOS – Justice Oshodi of a Lagos High Court today granted bail to a judge of the Federal High Court (Ilorin division), Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla, SAN on self-recognition.
They are both standing trial on 30 count charge, bothering on graft, giving of false information and forgery.
Ruling on the matter, Justice Oshodi said the offence committed were bailable and that the accused is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
He added that the first defendant is a Judge of the Federal High Court and that the submission of EFCC that the first defendant will jump bail is an assumption.
On the second accused, he ruled that he is an EFCC prosecutor, a SAN with going business concern.
He then granted bail on self-recognition to both.
They are however to deposit the sum of N20million each into the coffers of the court and their international passport within 7 days.
He said failure to act within 7 days will lead to revocation of the bail.
Godwin Obla had been on administrative bail by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission(EFCC), travelled out of the country but on his return turned up at the EFCC office and deposited his international passport with the commission.
On her part, Ajumogobia has been in EFCC’s custody since November 8th, 2016.
Both were arraigned today, during which counsel to the defendant Wale Akoni, SAN told the court that the offences for which they are being prosecuted were billable. Specifically, he argued in a 10 paragraph affidavit that Ajumogobia, should be granted bail being a serving Federal High Court Judge.
In respect Obla, SAN, he argued that he is in on administrative bail, during which he travelled out but upon return turned up at EFCC’s office to deposit his international passport and that he will not jump bail based on his antecedent.
Earlier the Prosecution, led by Rotimi Oyedopo argued that that the first defendant should not be granted bail and that he will interfere with investigation and witness.
