on Friday, June 28, 2019, dismissed the preliminary objection filed by
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia,challenging her trial before the court.
Ofili-Ajumogobia alongside Godwin Obla, SAN, were re-arraigned on May
15, 2019 on an 18-count charge bordering on breach of trust, false
statement and unlawful enrichment.
One of the counts reads: “That you, Hon. Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia
and Godwin Obla, SAN, on or about the 21st day of May, 2014 in Lagos,
within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, conspired to
indirectly conceal the sum of N5, 000,000.00 (Five Million Naira) in the
Diamond Bank account of Nigel & Colive Ltd., which sum you reasonably
ought to have known forms part of proceeds of unlawful enrichment.”
Ofili-Ajumogobia, through her counsel, Chief Robert Clarke, SAN, had, on
June 25, 2019, filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of the
court to try his client, claiming that the President’s approval for her
dismissal had not been gazetted.
At today’s sitting, Justice Aikawa ruled that Ofili-Ajumogobia is no
longer a judicial officer, having been dismissed by the President on the
recommendation of the Nigeria Judicial Council, NJC, and that she could
be tried for any criminal offence she might be accused of.
Justice Aikawa held that, with the letter presented by the EFCC, the
President had already dismissed Ofili-Ajumogobia on November 6 2018.”
The President has approved the recommendation of dismissal by the NJC
with the letter. “So, it is not a question of whether it was published
or not. The intention of the President was clearly expressed in that
letter sent on November 6, 2018,” the Judge further held.
The case was adjourned to 24 and 25 October, 2019 for trial.