Bribery and Corruption: Two More Judges Report Themselves to EFCC

Following the widely condemned gestapo manner judges were arrested two weeks ago, some of the judges are now submitting themselves to security operatives for interrogation.

Two more judges yesterday reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation on alleged corrupt practices on the bench.

 

According to The Nation, Justice Agbadu James Fishim and Justice Uwani Abba Aji of the Federal High Court submitted themselves willingly for interrogation following allegations of corruption levelled against them.

 

So far, about five out of the eight judges alleged to be corrupt have reported for interrogation by the EFCC. However, a Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, is yet to honour its invitation.

 

A source said: “Another set of two Federal High Court judges, Justice Agbadu James Fishim and Justice Uwani Abba Aji, responded to the invitation by the EFCC as they presented themselves before operatives at the Lagos zonal office, Awolowo Road, Ikoyi.

“Three other judges – Justices Mohammed Nasir Yunusa, Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa and Musa Haruna Kurya – had earlier reported to the commission on Monday  and yesterday. Some of the judges, who were accompanied by their lawyers, have so far been cooperating with our operatives…

“Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, one of the invited judges, who was expected to show up at the commission yesterday, is yet to honour the invitation.”

 

The source added: “If any judge refuses to honour our summons, the EFCC will have no choice than to employ legal process to make him or her respect the law of the land.

“We have accorded all the judges who came to the EFCC a lot of respect in line with international best practices.”

 

Two of the five judges were alleged to have received over N2.75 million bribe from two senior lawyers – Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Joseph Nwobike (SAN) who were arraigned in March before the Lagos High Court on allegations of bribery and offering gratification to a public official.