JUSTICE AGBADU FISHIM DOCKED ON 19 COUNT CHARGE, GETS BAIL ON SELF RECOGNITION

IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC today arraigned Justice Agbadu Fishim of the National Industrial Court on 19 count charge of unlawful enrichment to the tune of N3.5m.

In the charge sheet before Justice Raliat Adebiyi, EFCC alleged that Justice Fishim received an aggregate of N3.5m from seven Senior Advocates of Nigeria, one other Lagos-based lawyer and one law firm between 2013 and 2015.

The money, the EFCC claimed in the charge sheet, was paid into the judge’s First Bank account with number 3008199491. The judge, according to the EFCC, allegedly received a total of N1.15m from Chief Felix Fagbohungbe (SAN) between December 5, 2013 and February 26, 2015.

He allegedly received a total of N700,000 in multiples tranches from Paul Usoro (SAN) between August 5, 2014 and March 26, 2015. Other SANs, from whom the judge allegedly received money, were Chief Gani Adetola-Kazeem, who gave him N100,000 on February 10, 2015; and Mr. Uche Obi, who gave him N250,000 between October 17 and 20, 2013.

Others were Dr. Muiz Banire (SAN), who according to the EFCC, gave the judge N500,000 on June 20, 2013; and Chief Adeniyi Akintola (SAN), who gave him a total of N300,000 in two tranches of N200,000 and N100,000 on June 3, 2013 and February 26, 2015 respectively.

The EFCC also claimed that Justice Fishim received a total of N250,000 from Dr. Joseph Nwobike (SAN), in tranches of N150,000 and N100,000 on December 12, 2014 and September 10, 2015 respectively; while a Lagos-based lawyer, Enobong Etteh, was said to have transferred N200,000 to the judge on October 27, 2014.

A law firm, Alliance Law Firm, according to the EFCC, also paid N250,000 into the judge’s account on August 21, 2015.The anti-graft agency alleged that Justice Fishim received the money.

“So as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.” It alleged that the judge acted contrary to Section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

He was however granted bail on self recognition and the matter adjourned to October 11, 2017.