The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) is set to arraign two Senior Advocates of Nigeria (SAN), Rickey Tarfa and Dr. Joseph Nwobike, at the Lagos State High Court over alleged bribery to some judges.
Nwobike is the lawyer representing former Director-General of the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi who is also being prosecuted by the anti-graft agency for alleged theft and fraud.
In two separate charges filed by the anti-graft agency, the learned silk are accused of allegedly offering gratification running into millions of naira to judges in a bizarre ploy to influence decisions in their favour.
Tarfa is facing a 27-count of alleged wilful obstruction of authorized officers of EFCC, refusing to declare asset, making false information to an officer of EFCC and offering gratification to a public official.
Nwobike is facing a five-count charge of allegedly attempting to pervert the course of justice and offering gratification to public official.
Nwobike, according to the EFCC, gave N1,050,000 to two judges. The charges were filed by an Assistant Detective Commander, Mr. G.O. Adebola.
The charges against him read in part: “That you DR. JOSEPH NWOBIKE [S.A.N] on the 19th day of March, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally gave the sum of N 750,000.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Naira only) to Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court directly through your United Bank for Africa Plc Account No.1002664061 in order that the said Judge acts in the exercise of his official duties.
“That you DR. JOSEPH NWOBIKE [S.A.N] on the 19th day of March, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally gave the sum of N 750,000.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Naira only) to Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court directly through your United Bank for Africa Plc Account No.1002664061 in order that the said Judge refrains from acting in the exercise of his official duties.
“That you DR. JOSEPH NWOBIKE [S.A.N] on the 28th day of September, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally gave the sum of N 300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira only) to Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court indirectly through Awa Ajia Nig Ltd’s account No. 0000971931 domiciled in Access Bank Plc belonging to Hon. Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court in order that the Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa acts in the exercise of his official duties.
“That you DR. JOSEPH NWOBIKE [S.A.N] on the 28th day of September, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, intentionally gave the sum of N 300,000.00 (Three Hundred Thousand Naira only) to Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court indirectly through Awa Ajia Nig Ltd’s account No. 0000971931 domiciled in Access Bank Plc belonging to Hon. Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court in order that Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa refrain from acting in the exercise of his official duties.
“That you DR. JOSEPH NWOBIKE [S.A.N] on the 19th day of March, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court, attempted to pervert the course of justice by paying directly through your United Bank for Africa Plc Account No.1002664061 the sum of N 750,000.00 (Seven Hundred and Fifty Thousand, Naira only) to Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court before whom you have instituted and commenced proceedings.”
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