Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, has returned to her job as a judge of the Federal High Court in Nigeria, by the instrument of the National Judicial Council (NJC), who about three years ago, axed her for allegedly soiling her hand in the performance of her duties.
A directive from the same agency in charge of employment and discipline of judges in Nigeria is a seal on a series of judicial victories secured by the judge during the period she was thrown out from her job in 2019, after she was found culpable by the body.
Ofili-Ajumogobia, who was first arraigned in November in 2016 before the Federal High Court in Lagos on allegations of money laundering and ended up being sacked by the council for various acts of misconducts including serving as the Director/Chief Executive Officer and sole signatory to a company, Nigel and Colive Company, contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Announcing her dismissal on October 4, 2018, that several individuals, government officials and business partners lodged funds into her various accounts, she was accused of having a private communication with one Godwin Obla, who had a case pending before her.
Lewis Allagoa, a judge of the Federal High Court in Lagos, however, discharged and acquitted her in November 2021, of the allegations, based on an order by Binta Nyako, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which quashed NJC’s recommendations and recommended her reinstatement.
Another reprieve came for the embattled judge, when on 16 April 2019, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, a Lagos High Court struck out the EFCC suit against her and Obla, relying on the case of Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa for lack of jurisdicciton, saying the EFCC “jumped the gun” in filing the first amended charge against her and Obla.
Oshodi, who lambasted the the anti-graft agency going ahead with the trial by calling more witnesses, without first subjecting Ofili-Ajumogobia’s alleged misconduct to NJC’s internal disciplinary mechanism , despite being aware of Nganjiwa’s judgement.
Announcing her reinstatement in a December 5 circular sent to all judges of the federal high court, the NJC, signed by John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the council said the directive was of immediate effect.
“Your Lordships are by this circular letter notified that at the meeting of the National Judicial Council held on the 1st of December, 2022, the council reinstated the Hon. Justice R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia as a judicial officer. The reinstatement takes instant effect and there shall be consequential posting.”
The circular was copied to the Chief Registrar of the court as well as the Director of Library and Deputy Director of Finance, for immediate action and compliance.
