There was mild drama at the premises of an Ikeja High Court as officials of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) apprehended Justice Rita Ofili Ajumogobia, a former judge of the Federal High Court, even after the corruption charges proffered against her by the anti-graft agency were struck out. About 10 EFCC officials apprehended Ofili-Ajumogobia as she attempted to leave the courtroom after the charges against her were struck down by Justice Hakeem Oshodi.
EFCC agents had laid siege on the court premises ostensibly to ambush and re-arrest Ajumogobia after Justice Oshodi berated the agency saying their case against Ajumogobia was a waste of judicial time.
Justice Oshodi, in a ruling, struck out the 31-count charge filed by the EFCC against Ajumogobia and her co-defendant, Mr. Godwin Obla (SAN) on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the suit. The judge also ruled that based on the judicial precedent set by the case of Justice Nganjiwa Vs FRN, the EFCC had “jumped the gun” in filing the first amended charge. Justice Oshodi noted that the anti-graft commission had not followed the procedures set by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in disciplining erring judicial officers.
Ajumogobia, who wore a leg cast on her right leg, had proceeded out of the court but upon sighting the armed EFCC operatives who were waiting to arrest her, she made a hasty retreat and went back upstairs into Justice Oshodi’s courtroom to seek the protection of the court from the EFCC officials.
Justice Oshodi when notified about the development said there was nothing he could do as “the file had been closed.” The embattled former judge and her husband, who was with her, were observed frantically making various phone calls. However, when Justice Oshodi’s court rose, she was apprehended by some EFCC officials who whisked her away in a white Hilux van. Mr. Obla, Ajumogobia’s co-defendant was however allowed to exit the court premises by officials of the EFCC.
