celebrity radar - gossips
Nigerian Judge Charged With Corruption Gets Bail
Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Godwin Obla, were on Monday arraigned at an Ikeja High Court over alleged corruption.
Mr. Obla, and Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia, a serving judge of the Federal High Court, Lagos, are being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).
Mr. Obla is also a prosecutor for the EFCC.
The duo were jointly charged with a two-count charge of perverting the course of justice by the anti-graft agency.
However, they pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mr. Obla was charged with an additional two counts of offering gratification in the sum of N5 million to Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia, a public official during her service as a judge.
He also pleaded not guilty to the charges.
Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia faces a 26-count charge of unlawful enrichment, taking property by a public officer, corruption by a public officer, forgery and giving false information to an official of the EFCC.
But she also denied the charges.
According to the EFCC, Mr. Obla, on May 21, 2015, intentionally transferred N5 million to Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia via his Obla and Co United Bank of Africa (UBA) account with number: 1015319084 in order to refrain her from acting in her official duties.
The anti-graft agency alleges that Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia, while serving as a Justice of the Federal High Court, on June 5, 2012, unlawfully received N18 million through her Access Bank Plc account, which she could not give a reasonable account of.
The EFCC said between 2012 and 2015 Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia also received a total of $788,000 from various sources into her Diamond Bank Account with number: 0032091183.
Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia allegedly received N51.1 million in her Diamond Bank account from various sources which did not reflect her source of income as a judge.
The EFCC also alleged that between July 5 and Dec. 30, 2010, Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia forged a deed of assignment between County City Bricks Development Co Limited and Nigel and Clove Limited.
The forged deed dated July 5, 2010 was purportedly prepared and signed by Charles Musa and Co.
The anti-graft agency said that on October 19, the judge made a false statement through a phone call to Lawal Abdullahi, an officer of the EFCC, in which she claimed she was on admission at the Goldcross Hospital, Ikoyi.
The EFCC said the offences were in contravention of Section 39 (2)(a) of the EFCC Act, Sections 64 (1), 82 (a), 97(1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State and Section 467 of the Criminal Code.
After the charges were read, counsel to the EFCC, Rotimi Oyedepo, requested an immediate trial.
“My Lord we hereby apply for an immediate, accelerated trial,” Mr. Oyedepo said.
Lawyer to Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia, Olawole Akoni, in his application for bail, pleaded with the court to release his client who had been in the custody of the EFCC.
“My Lord, the charge against the first defendant are bailable offences according to Sec 115 (2) (3) of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA).
“The defendant does not pose a threat, she’s a responsible member of society, a judge of the Federal High Court and she will certainly stand trial to clear her name.
“On the claims by the EFCC that she has interfered with the investigations of this matter, I refer to paragraph eight of our affidavit which stated that she has not and will not interfere with the investigations.
“In summary, I urge your Lordship to admit the defendant to bail in her own recognition and in the unlikely event that my Lord would give conditions, I request that the conditions be very liberal,” Mr. Akoni said.
Mr. Oyedepo, however, countered Mr. Akoni’s claims that Mrs. Ofili-Ajumogobia will not interfere with the trial.
“Your Lordship can look at the proof of evidence before the court, there’s overwhelming evidence against Ofili-Ajumogobia of interference.
“In paragraph six, we gave details about how the defendant interfered with our investigations and tried to influence witnesses who were Ademola Oshodi and Ogor Okafor.
“The statement of Oshodi on Nov. 1 says and I quote ‘Justice Rita called me to meet her at the Church of the Assumption, Falomo, to tell me how I should answer the EFCC questions.’
“I urge your Lordship to refuse this application and grant accelerated hearing,” Oyedepo prayed.
Lawyer to Mr. Obla, Ifedayo Adedipe, noted that Mr. Obla, who is a prosecutor for the EFCC, poised no flight risk.
“The second defendant has been going and coming to the EFCC for some sister cases and he has deposited his passport with them.
“The applicant is not a flight risk, he went to the USA with the knowledge of the EFCC and he returned his passport to them, he is not a flight risk.
“There is no instance where he has interfered with the investigations of the EFCC. He is one of them; instead of paying him for the cases he has won for them, they charge him to court.
“I plead with your Lordship, Obla is a respectable member of the bar, a prosecutor for the EFCC and I urge your Lordship to grant him bail.’’
In his ruling, Justice Oshodi noted that though the offences the duo were charged with were serious, the offences were bailable and as a result of their status in society, they poised no flight risk.
“The defendants are hereby granted N20 million bail on self recognition and they shall forfeit their international passports,” the judge ordered.
(NAN)
celebrity radar - gossips
Star Entertainers Set for Angel Global Promotions ‘Our Night of Heritage’ Show in UK Nov 29
Star Entertainers Set for Angel Global Promotions ‘Our Night of Heritage’ Show in UK Nov 29
London city will be agog on Friday, 29th of November 2024, as A-List Nigerian entertainers stage performance at this year’s edition of ‘Our Night of Heritage’ (Ale Asa Wa) show.
Aimed at recognizing outstanding achievements in concerts, shows, and cultural events, the event which promises to be a talk-of-the-town, will be held at LOG Hall Abbey Quilting Selinas Lane, Dagenham, RM8 1ES, London SE16 2BD, United Kingdom.
According to Princess Adetutu Jakande, the chief organizer of Ale Asa Wa and CEO of Angel Global Promotions UK, the 5th edition of the AfriCulture tradition and entertainment awards event serves as a platform for celebrating African culture and entertainment while highlighting the exceptional talents of individuals who have contributed to the growth and development of the industry.
An array of entertainment performers have been lined up to give the night the touch of glamour and class while the event streams live in the media across the globe. They include Gospel star, Biyi Samuel; Alhaji Lateef a.k.a. Student Fuji; Kemi Alayo a.k.a. Idi Ope; Poly Mr Correct; Ekundayo Mr Manna; Alhaji Wasiu Adekunle Classical Fuji; MC Loko a.k.a. Omo Woli; Omoba Ademola a.k.a. Demo Performer, and a whole lots of other stars and side attractions.
With 30 Pounds entry fee, the organizers have announced that Ankara fabrics are available for smooth access to the event venue and numbers to call are +44745382120, +447960892460, +447308779733. Seasoned Nollywood actor, Kunle Afod, will feature as special guest artiste.
According to the organizers, there will also be presentation of awards where selected individuals will be recognized for their impactful contributions to the entertainment industry.
celebrity radar - gossips
Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Set To Dedicate Multi-million Naira Church Auditorium
Prophet Kingsley Aitafo Set To Dedicate Multi-million Naira Church Auditorium
It’s a season of Joy as Prophet Kingsley Oladapo Aitafo, founder of Oneness in Christ ministry has invited everyone to the altar laying and dedication of their new multi-million naira church auditorium on Saturday, November 23rd, 2024’.
We reliably gathered that the dedication of the new auditorium known as CCC Living Tabernacle will be held by 10am at Olorunlugo bus stop, along oko ope,off ijomo road,baba ode in Ogun state.
According to our information, many dignitaries, celebrities who have been partakers of the grace of God through Prophet Kingskey Aitafo are billed to honour the altar laying and church dedication of CCC living Grace Tabernacle.
In his words, the Shepherd in charge, prophet Aitafo attributed all the glory to God for the grace to complete the auditorium.
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