Bailiff stalls arraignment of Justice Ademola, wife

The failure of the court bailiff to serve Justice Adeniyi Ademola of a Federal High Court in Abuja and his wife, Olabowale, with the charges against them stalled their arraignment in court on Monday.

Justice Ademola and wife, who is the Head of Service of Lagos State, were slated to be arraigned on Monday before a High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Maitama, for allegedly receiving gratification.

However, when their case was called up, the couple were absent on the reason that they have not been served with the charges.

Consequently, the trial judge, Justice Jude Okeke, adjourned the case till December 13, 2016, following the defendants’ lawyer, Mr. Jeph Njikonye, undertaking to accept service on behalf of his clients.

According to the lead prosecuting counsel, Mr. Segun Jegede, the court bail bailiffs, effort by court bailiff to serve the couple with the charges were unsuccessful as he was told that the accused persons traveled out of town.

He then sought leave to serve the defendants through their lawyer on the strength of section 382(5) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act.

Njikonye, who was ready to be served on behalf of his clients, said he was not aware of efforts to serve the couple personally and argued that section 382(5) of the ACJA was not application.

Read also: Ex-Speaker Ikuforiji runs to S’Court to avoid fresh trial over alleged N500m fraud

The defence lawyer however, submitted that the court under its inherent powers grant the leave for service.

In his ruling, Justice Okeke, said record proved that a court bailiff attempted to serve the defendants in Abuja, on December 2, but were told they traveled to Lagos.

Recall that Justice Ademola was among the seven senior Nigerian judges, the Department of State Services (DSS), arrested after raiding their homes.

He had accused the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami of being behind his ordeal, alleging that his arrest was over his decision to grant bail to former National Security Adviser, Sambo Dasuki, and A pro-Biafra leader, Nnamdi Kanu.

 

 

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