N5.3m bribe allegation: EFCC ridiculous, Rickey Tarfa says

Mr. Rickey Tarfa, SAN, has denied bribing another judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa, with N5.3million.

Tarfa, who said he read about the new charges against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, in the media, described the new 27 count charge as ridiculous. He also said he had not being served with the charges.

In a statement issued by the head of his chambers, John Odubela, Tarfa said before the judge in question was appointed a judge of the Federal High Court, he was absorbed into his chambers after leaving the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, in 1995 as Deputy Director, Prosecution.

According to the statement, Justice Nganjiwa, who specialized in criminal law, was with Tarfa’s law firm until he was appointed to the Federal High Court in 2012. He was also said to have attracted many briefs and clients to the firm because of his expertise.

Read also: Ricky Tarfa on counter attack, sues EFCC, MTN, Falana for N5bn

Tarfa further stated that upon his appointment as a judge, the law firm continued with the cases he brought to the chambers.

“In the light of the above, we have continued to discharge the firm’s financial obligations to him in respect of cases he has handled for the firm as a practicing legal practitioner in our law firm and those he brought to the chambers,” the statement said.

Accusing EFCC of persecution, Tarfa continued, “We have cause to once more react to the malicious trial by media of our principal, Rickey Tarfa (SAN) by the EFCC. Trials are never won on the pages of newspapers, the airwaves and on online platforms.

“The recent 27 count charge allegedly filed against Tarfa by EFCC is not only laughable because as at the time of issuing this press statement, Tarfa is yet to be served with the charge. The media is, however, awash with ‘details’ of the said charge”, the statement read.

 

RipplesNigeria …without borders, without fears

 

Join the conversation

Opinions

Support Ripples Nigeria, hold up solutions journalism

Balanced, fearless journalism driven by data comes at huge financial costs.

As a media platform, we hold leadership accountable and will not trade the right to press freedom and free speech for a piece of cake.

If you like what we do, and are ready to uphold solutions journalism, kindly donate to the Ripples Nigeria cause.

Your support would help to ensure that citizens and institutions continue to have free access to credible and reliable information for societal development.

Donate Now