EFCC arraigns judge over unlawful gratification from SAN

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, on Wednesday, arraigned Justice Mohammed Yunusa, a suspended Federal High Court judge, before a Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, on a 5-count charge of alleged unlawful gratification and attempt to pervert justice.

Justice Yunusa was arraigned alongside Esther Agbor, an employee of Rickey Tarfa (SAN) before Justice S. O. Solebo.

Part of the counts reads: “That you, Mohammed Nasir Yunusa, between February and September 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a public official to wit: a judge of a Federal High Court attempted to pervert the course of justice by engaging in constant private and confidential telephone communications with Rickey Tarfa, SAN, lawyer to the applicants in (i) Suit No FHC/L/CS/714/2015 between Mr. Adewale Adeniyi vs. EFCC and two others; (ii) Suit No. FHC/L/CS/715/2015 between Rena Prestige Industry Limited and Anor vs. EFCC and two others; (iii) Suit No. FHC/L/CS/716/2016 between Hair Prestige Manufacturing Nigeria Limited and three others vs. EFCC during the period you presided over the said suits as a judge of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.”

“That you, Mohammed Nasir Yunusa, on or about the 14th May, 2015, within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, being a public official to wit: a judge of the Federal High Court agreed to receive tN1,500, 000 paid into his United Bank of Africa Plc account number 1005055617 by Esther Agbor, in order to give a decision in favour of the chambers of Rickey Tarfa & Co. in cases handled by the said chambers before you as the judge of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi.”

Advertisement

But the judge, whose arraignment was stalled last year, pleaded not guilty to the charge preferred against him. Agbor also pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to her.

Lawyer to Justice Yunusa, Mr I. Mohammed, urged the court to grant bail to the suspended judge on self-recognizance.

He argued that the defendant (Justice Yunusa) “is still a serving judge and has not been dismissed by the Federal Government”.

Lawyer to Agbor (second defendant), John Odubela, SAN, also urged the court to grant bail to his client on self-recognizance or on liberal terms.

Advertisement

Odubela argued that his client “is a nursing mother, who is having some health challenges”.

Responding, lawyer to the EFCC, Mr A. C. Ozioko, opposed the application, saying that, “My Lord, in the event that bail is granted, it should be on conditions that will compel the defendants to always attend trial.”

Justice Solebo granted bail to Justice Yunusa on self-recognizance without any financial undertaking.

But the judge ordered Justice Yunusa not to travel out of the jurisdiction of the court without the notice of the court.

Advertisement

The EFCC was also ordered to hand over Justice Yunusa’s passport to the court’s registrar.

The judge also granted bail to Agbor in the sum of N1million with two sureties in like sum. The judge added that the sureties must have verifiable addresses within the jurisdiction of the court and must have tax clearance evidence of three years.

The case has been adjourned to February 20 for commencement of trial.

Peter Fowoyo, Lagos