Azeez Folorunso/
A judge accused of N4.7million unlawful enrichment had his day in court today.
Justice Agbadu James Fishim appeared before Justice Raliatu Adebiyi at a Lagos High Court in Ikeja.
Fishim, a serving judge of the National Industrial Court, was arraigned by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) on a 19-count charge.
The defendant allegedly received monies from different lawyers, including some senior advocates, in the course of discharging his duties as a judge.
Prosecutors said the monies could not be accounted for.
When the charges were read to the defendant, he pleaded not guilty.
One of the charges says, “That you Honourable Justice Agbadu James Fishim between the 10th day of March and 19th December, 2014 in Lagos, within the jurisdiction of the Honourable Court enriched yourself with an aggregate sum of N700, 000 from Chief Felix Fagboungbe through your account number (3008199491), domiciled in First Bank Plc so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.”
Another charge says, “That you, Honourable Justice Agbadu James Fishim, on or about the 12th day of December, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a judge of the National Industrial Court enriched yourself with the sum of N150, 000 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) from Dr. Joseph Nwobike, SAN, through your account number (2006900216) domiciled in First Bank Plc so as to have a significant increase in your assets that you cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to your lawful income.”
In view of the plea, the prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo asked the court for a trial date and to remand the defendant in prison custody.
Counsel to the defendant, Amuda Kannike SAN, made an oral bail application, in accordance with the law. He asked the court to grant the defendant bail on self recognisance.
The prosecution counsel, however, did not oppose the bail application made orally by the defence counsel.
“I leave the issue of bail to your Lordship, but I will only ask your Lordship for conditions and terms for bail that will make the defendant appear in court for trial,” Rotimi said.
Justice Raliatu Adebiyi said that the essence of bail was to ensure that defendant appear and stand trial.
Justice Adebiyi said, “In view of the defendant’s status in the society, I hereby grant the defendant bail on self recognisance.
“The defendant shall deposit his international passport with the court registrar in the course of trial.”
The matter was adjourned to November 11, 12 and 13, 2017, for trial.
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