Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia in Tears as Corruption Trial Begins

Ololade Adeyanju

Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia visibly fought back tears as she stood in the dock today alongside Mr. Godwin Obla. Both of them were arraigned before Justice O.H. Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, Ikeja, on a 30-count charge of corruption by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The presiding judge had to stand down proceedings in the matter to enable him deliver his ruling on the bail applications by both defendants.
Ajumogobia and Obla, who had been in detention since they were both invited for questioning by the EFCC earlier this month, were arraigned this morning on a 30-count charge, bordering on conspiracy to pervert the course of justice, offering gratification to a public official, and unlawful enrichment by public official among others.
After the charges were read, both defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Thereafter, counsel to Ajumogobia, Mr. Wale Akoni (SAN) and counsel to Obla, Mr. Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN) moved applications for them to be granted bail.
Counsel to EFCC, Mr. Rotimi Oyedepo, however, opposed the application. He argued that Ajumogobia had called one of the witnesses listed in the case and planned with her to lie in court.
After listening to the arguments by counsels to the defendants and the counter argument by the counsel to EFCC, the judge announced that he would be standing down proceedings to write his ruling on the applications.
Full report coming soon.
Find full details of the charges against the defendants below:

THE HIGH COURT OF LAGOS STATE
IN THE LAGOS JUDICIAL DIVISION
HOLDEN AT LAGOS
CHARGE NO:

BETWEEN

FEDERAL REPUBLIC OF NIGERIA
AND

HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA
GODWIN OBLA (SAN)

INFORMATION

DATED THIS …………………..DAY OF……………………..2016

At the Criminal Division of the High Court of Lagos State, holden at Lagos on the ………………..day of …………2016, the Court is informed by the Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission on behalf of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

That;

HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA
GODWIN OBLA (SAN)

Are charged with the following offences:

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE – 1ST COUNT
Conspiracy to pervert the course of justice contrary to section 97 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA AND GODWIN OBLA (SAN) on or about the 21st day of May, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired with one another to pervert the course of justice in Charge No. FHC/L/C/482C/10 with the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira).

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE – 2ND COUNT
Attempt to pervert the course of justice contrary to section 97 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No. 11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA AND GODWIN OBLA (SAN) on or about the 21st day of May, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to pervert the course of justice in Charge No. FHC/L/C/482C/10 with the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira).

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE – 3RD COUNT
Offering gratification to a public official contrary to section 64 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you GODWIN OBLA (SAN) on or about the 21st day of May, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally gave the sum of N 5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira only) to Hon. Justice RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA of the Federal High Court directly from your Obla and Company’s account No.1015319084 domiciled in the United Bank for Africa Plc, in order that the said Judge acts in the exercise of her official duties.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE – 4TH COUNT
Offering gratification to a public official contrary to section 64 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you GODWIN OBLA (SAN) on or about the 21st day of May, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally gave the sum of N 5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira only) to Hon. Justice RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA of the Federal High Court directly from your Obla and Company’s account No.1015319084 domiciled in the United Bank for Africa Plc, in order that the said Judge refrains from acting in the exercise of her official duties.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE – 5TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 5th day of June, 2012 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of N18, 000,000.00 (Eighteen Million Naira) from Arkleen Oil and Gas Ltd through your No. 0002112967 domiciled in Access 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE – 6TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA between the 10th and 30th day of May, 2013 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $130,000.00 (One Hundred and Thirty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –7TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 11th June, 2013 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –8TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 11th February, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –9TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 27th March, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –10TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 29th March, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $150,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –11TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 2nd June, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $70,000.00 (Seventy Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –12TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 19th June, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $70,000.00 (Seventy Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –13TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 19th June, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –14TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 14th October, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $35,000.00 (Thirty Five Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –15TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 21st November, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –16TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 20th December, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $50,000.00 (Fifty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –17TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA between the 17th and 19th day of June, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –18TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA between the 17th and 19th day of June, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand United State Dollars) through your account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –19TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA between the 11th day of August, 2011 and 27th day of March, 2012 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $68,800.00 (Sixty Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred United State Dollars) through your account No. 0002649223 domiciled in Access 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –20TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA between the 11th day of August, 2011 and 27th day of March, 2012 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the sum of a total sum of $68,800.00 (Sixty Eight Thousand, Eight Hundred United State Dollars) through your account No. 0002649223 domiciled in Access 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –21ST COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 21st day of May, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the total sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) from Obla and Company which sum you received through Nigel & Colive Ltd’s account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –22ND COUNT
Taking of property by Public Officer contrary to section 69 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 21st day of May, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court, took advantage of your employment by taken property to wit: the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) from Obla and Company which sum you received through Nigel & Colive Ltd’s account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –23RD COUNT
Corruption by public official contrary to section 63 (1)(a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 21st day of May, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court, received of the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) from Obla and Company on account of favour to be afterwards shown to Godwin Obla SAN in relation to your official duties.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –24TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 20th day of June, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the total sum of N7, 500,000.00 (Seven Million, Five Hundred Thousand Naira) from Paul Iloba Obanua which sum your received through Nigel & Colive Ltd’s account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –25TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 4th day of February, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the total sum of N8, 000,000.00 (Eight Million Naira) from Grand Bee Ltd which sum your received through Nigel & Colive Ltd’s account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –26TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 14th day of September, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the total sum of N5, 460,000.00 (Five Million, Four Hundred and Sixty Thousand Naira) through Nigel & Colive Ltd’s account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –27TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 29th day of January, 2016 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the total sum of N18, 000,000.00 (Eighteen Million, Naira) which sum you received from one Said Danlami Abba Abba through Nigel & Colive Ltd’s account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –28TH COUNT
Unlawful enrichment by public official contrary to section 82 (a) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA between the 7th day of January and 30th day of December,2013 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a Judge of the Federal High Court enriched yourself with the aggregate sum of N12, 270, 000.00 (Twelve Million, Two Hundred and Seventy thousand Naira) through your account No. 0029928474 domiciled in Diamond 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.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE –29TH COUNT
Forgery Contrary to Section 467 of the Criminal Code Cap C17, Law of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA between the 5th day of July and 30th day of December, 2010 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly forged a deed of assignment between County City Bricks Development Co Ltd and Nigel & Colive Ltd dated the 5th day of July,2010 which you purported to have prepared and signed by Charles Musa & Co.

STATEMENT OF OFFENCE – 30TH COUNT
Making false information to an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission contrary to section 39(2) (a) of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (Establishment) Act, 2004.

PARTICULARS OF OFFENCE
That you HON. JUSTICE RITA NGOZI OFILI AJUMOGOBIA on or about the 19th day of October, 2016 at about 1916 hours in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, knowingly made a false statement through your GSM No. 08022256535 to Lawal Abdullhai, an officer of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, in the course of the exercise of his duty, wherein you claimed to be on admission at Gold Cross Hospital bourdillon road, Ikoyi Lagos.

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