An investigator with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Yusuf Samalia Gulma, has stated that Justice Rita Ngozi Ofili-Ajumogobia was unable to explain how she came about a financial fortune of $894,400. In a counter-affidavit opposing the judge’s application to be released from EFCC custody, Mr. Gulma claimed that the detained judge had failed to account for how she earned the huge sum, the equivalent of 313 million naira at the exchange rate of 350 naira per dollar.
In the court document, the EFCC claimed that its agents had carried out an investigative analysis of justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s account number, 0032091183, domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc. According to the anti-corruption agency, their analysis revealed that, between April 19, 2013 and July 13, 2015, the sum of $894,400 was deposited in the judge’s account. The funds were deposited at different times and various amounts, according to the EFCC affidavit.
In addition, the EFCC stated that one Arkleen Oil and Gas Limited deposited eighteen million naira into the judge’s Access Bank account number, 0002112967.
The affidavit reads in part:
“That the applicant between 10th and 30th day of May, 2013 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of the Federal High Court, enriched herself with the total sun of 130,000.00 (one hundred and thirty thousand United States dollars) through her account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc., so as to have a significant increase in her assets that she cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to her lawful income.
“That the applicant on or about 29th March, 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of the Federal High Court, enriched herself with the total sun of 150,000.00 (one hundred and fifty thousand United States dollars) through her account No. 0032091183 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc., so as to have a significant increase in her assets that she cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to her lawful income.
“That the applicant on or about 4th day of February, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of the Federal High Court enriched herself with the total sun of 8,000,000.00 (eight million Naira) from Grand Bee Ltd which sum she received through Nigel & COLIVE Ltd account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc., so as to have a significant increase in her assets that she cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to her lawful income.
“That the applicant on or about 29th day of January, 2016 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honorable court, being a judge of the Federal High Court enriched herself with the total sun of 18,000,000.00 (eighteen million Naira) which sum she received from one Said Danlami Abba Abba through Nigel & COLIVE Ltd account No. 0036103635 domiciled in Diamond Bank Plc., so as to have a significant increase in her assets that she cannot reasonably explain the increase in relation to her lawful income.”
The anti-graft agency’s affidavit also asserted that the sum of $150,000 deposited into the judge’s account was likely the proceeds of gratification received by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia.
The EFCC also accused one Frank Esenwa, a barrister who allegedly brokered the sales of some properties for the judge in Asaba, Delta State, conspired with Ofili-Ajumogobia in the illicit transactions.
Mr. Gulma declared in the affidavit that Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia had been inducing witnesses and interfering with investigations by contacting all persons involved in her financial transactions prior to the EFCC’s invitation to those persons.
Earlier, Moyosore Onigbanjo, the lawyer representing the embattled judge, had filed an application to contest the continued detention of his client beyond the 14 days authorized by a remand order obtained by the EFCC.
Justice Muslim Sule Hassan of the Federal High Court in Ikoyi, Lagos, adjourned ruling on the bail application to November 26, 2016.
The EFCC has filed a 30-count charge against Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN). Both accused are billed to appear before Justice Lawal Oshodi at the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja on Monday November 28, 2016.