Admin l Friday, March 17, 2017
IKEJA, Lagos, Nigeria – A Lagos High Court siting in Ikeja, Lagos was today told how the Delta State Government, then led by Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan transferred the sum of N25 million into the salary account of Federal High Court Judge, Justice Ngozi Rita Ofili Ajumogobia.
Witnesses of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, Mr. Uchenna Clement Okaranwonu, a former Relationship Officer with Access Bank of Nigeria Plc and Danlami Saidi, who sells Dollars made the revelation while testifying before Justice Hakeem Oshodi of a Lagos High Court.
Okaranwonu told the court that the money was transfered to Justice Rita Ajumogobia on August 5, 2012.
Reading from her consolidated bank statement, Okaranwonu gave details of how Dollars were paid into her domiciliary account over a period of time. A total of $667, 000(238,119,000) were paid into that account in addition to N54, 346, 000 million which were either transferred or paid into her account.
The The EFCC made the revelation during the cross examination of Mr. Uchenna Clement Okaranwonu, a former worker with Access Bank of Nigeria Plc. Okaranwonu further explained to the court how the sum of over $667, 000 was paid into the judges’ account for the period of 7-years.
Ajumogobia was charged to court on a 30 count bordering on bribery and also enriching herself as a public officer. She entered a no guilty plea. The judge was also accused of receiving a total of $793, 800 in several trenches from different sources between 2012 and 2015.
The judge was further accused of giving false information to EFCC operatives by claiming to be on admission at a in Lagos which was found out to be false, an offence contrary to section 39 (2)a of the EFCC Establishment Act.
Ajumogobia is standing trial alongside a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, who was accused of offering a N5 million bribe to the Judge. The anti graft agency also accused Ajumogobia of living above her means as a public officer.
The presiding judge, justice Hakeem Oshodi, however, adjourned the matter till April 28 for continuation of trial.
