$793, 800 bribery case: Ajumogobia challenges court’s jurisdiction

A Judge of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi Lagos, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, on Monday, challenged the jurisdiction of an Ikeja High Court to try her in a bribery suit brought against her by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Standing trial alongside Ajumogobia on a 30-count charge is a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Godwin Obla, who was also accused of giving the judge N5 million.

Ajumogobia, through her lawyers, Mr. Olawole Akoni, SAN, and Robert Clarke, SAN, filed an application dated April 5, 2017 challenging the jurisdiction of the court to adjudicate over her matter.

Robert Clarke notified the court of two pending applications, adding that they are yet to receive a response from the court.
The EFCC’s counsel, Idris A. Mohammed, told the court that the prosecution was served with three applications by the 1st defendant dated March 7, March 29 and April 5, 2017.

“My Lord, the application dated 5th April, however, is a motion challenging the jurisdiction of this honorable Court,” he said.

The presiding judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi however pointed that the application challenging the jurisdiction of the court was not ripe for hearing.

“You people just shot yourselves at the foot because this application should have been taken first and it is obviously not ripe for hearing.”

“For that same reason, every other application must wait for this particular one to be taken; because if I don’t have jurisdiction, how can then can the case continue?” he said.

Meanwhile, Obla’s lawyer, Ifedayo Adedipe SAN, urged the court not to adjourn the matter but should allow the proceedings to continue for the sake of the 2nd defendant.

“Even though this matter is a joint trial, it is the argument of the 1st defendant that is before your Lordship and not of the 2nd defendant,” Adedipe said.

Clarke however offered to temporarily withdraw said application if it would affect the trial of the second defendant.

Justice Oshodi however adjourned the matter till April 28 as previously fixed for hearing of the application challenging the jurisdiction of the court.

Ajumogobia was accused by the EFCC of receiving a total of $793, 800 in several tranches 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 Lagos hospital which was found out to be false, an offence contrary to section 39 (2)a of the EFCC Establishment Act.

Obla, a former EFCC prosecutor, was accused of offering a N5 million bribe to Ajumogobia, but when they were both interrogated by the EFCC, they each gave conflicting answers.