According
to an investigator, one of the judges indicted of corruption has failed
to explain how she came about some colossal amounts of money found in
her possession.
Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia
An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
(EFCC), Yusuf Samalia Gulma, has stated that Justice Rita Ngozi
Ofili-Ajumogobia was unable to explain how she came about a financial
fortune of $894,400.
In a counter-affidavit opposing the judge’s application to be
released from EFCC custody, Mr. Gulma claimed that the detained judge
had failed to account for how she earned the huge sum, the equivalent of
313 million naira at the exchange rate of 350 naira per dollar.
In the court document, the EFCC claimed that its agents had carried
out an investigative analysis of justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s account
number, 0032091183, domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc. According to the
anti-corruption agency, their analysis revealed that, between April 19,
2013 and July 13, 2015, the sum of $894,400 was deposited in the judge’s
account. The funds were deposited at different times and various
amounts, according to the EFCC affidavit.
In addition, the EFCC stated that one Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited
deposited eighteen million naira into the judge’s Access Bank account
number, 0002112967.
The affidavit reads in part:
“That the applicant between 10th and 30th day of May, 2013 in
Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of
the Federal High Court, enriched herself with the total sun of
130,000.00 (one hundred and thirty thousand United States dollars)
through her account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc., so as
to have a significant increase in her assets that she cannot reasonably
explain the increase in relation to her lawful income.
“That the applicant on or about 29th March, 2014 in Lagos
within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of the
Federal High Court, enriched herself with the total sun of 150,000.00
(one hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars) through her
account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc., so as to have a
significant increase in her assets that she cannot reasonably explain
the increase in relation to her lawful income.
“That the applicant on or about 4th day of February, 2015 in
Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of
the Federal High Court enriched herself with the total sun of
8,000,000.00 (eight million Naira) from Grand Bee Ltd which sum she
received through Nigel & COLIVE Ltd account No. 0036103635 domiciled
in Diamond Bank Plc., so as to have a significant increase in her
assets that she cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to
her lawful income.
“That the applicant on or about 29th day of January, 2016 in
Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of
the Federal High Court enriched herself with the total sun of
18,000,000.00 (eighteen million Naira) which sum she received from one
Said Danlami Abba Abba through Nigel & COLIVE Ltd account No.
0036103635 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc., so as to have a significant
increase in her assets that she cannot reasonably explain the increase
in relation to her lawful income.”
The anti-graft agency’s affidavit also asserted that the sum of
$150,000 deposited into the judge’s account was likely the proceeds of
gratification received by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.
The EFCC also accused one Frank Esenwa, a barrister who allegedly
brokered the sales of some properties for the judge in Asaba, Delta
State, conspired with Ofili-Ajumogobia in the illicit transactions.
Mr. Gulma declared in the affidavit that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia
had been inducing witnesses and interfering with investigations by
contacting all persons involved in her financial transactions prior to
the EFCC’s invitation to those persons.
Earlier, Moyosore Onigbanjo, the lawyer representing the embattled
judge, had filed an application to contest the continued detention of
his client beyond the 14 days authorized by a remand order obtained by
the EFCC.
Justice Muslim Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi,
Lagos, adjourned ruling on the bail application to November 26, 2016.
The EFCC has filed a 30-count charge against Justice
Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN).
Both accused are billed to appear before Justice Lawal Oshodi at the
Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Monday November 28, 2016.
Source: Sahara Reporters
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