Again, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia arraigned, granted N10m bail

Embattled former judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, has again been granted bail.

She was granted bail in the sum of N10 million with one surety in like sum by a Federal High Court sitting in Lagos on Thursday, after she pleaded not guilty to 18 count charges bothering on money laundering leveled against her by the Independent National Electoral Commission (EFCC).

The court said the surety must have a landed property in Lagos and must also not be below grade level 16 in the Federal or State Civil Service.

The presiding judge, Justice Rilwan Aikawa, also held that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia should deposit her passport with the Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) of the court on/or before 6pm today (Thursday) and that the DCR should make himself available to receive same.

According to the judge, Ofili-Ajumogobia has 10 days to fulfill the bail conditions or has the bail revoked.

The embattled former judge is believed, because of the Easter Holidays, will be released to her lead counsel, Wale Akoni (SAN) this Thursday, should she fulfill the bail conditions.

Ruling on the second defendant, Godwin Obla, who was not present in court, the judge made an Order for the Issuance of Summons compelling him to appear before the court on May 15, 2019, for the purpose of the trial.

Consequently, the court adjourned proceedings on the matter till May 15.

Her re-arraignment came after the EFCC re-arrest her soon after an Ikeja High Court struck out a previous charge of money laundering leveled against her by the commission on Tuesday.

The Ikeja High court had struck out the EFCC charges over lack of jurisdiction.

READ ALSO: ‘We have fresh criminal charges,’ EFCC explains re-arrest of Ofili-Ajumogobia after discharge by Court

EFCC in the fresh charge numbered FHC/139C/19, is accusing Ofili-Ajumogobia and Obla, a former EFCC prosecution counsel, to have conspired on May 21, 2014, to indirectly conceal N5 million in the Diamond Bank account of Nigel & Colive Ltd., which they “reasonably ought to have known formed part of proceeds of unlawful act”.

It argued that the alleged offences contravened Sections 15 (2) (a) and 18 (a) of the Money Laundering Prohibition Act, 2011.

The anti-graft agency further accused the former judge of indirectly concealing N12 million in the same account, adding that she wrongly claimed that the money was payment for a sold property.

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