Rickey Tarfa
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, on Wednesday arraigned Rickey Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, before Justice A. A. Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court, Igbosere on a 27-count charge.
Amongst other allegations, Mr. Tarfa is accused of bribing a judge.
The charges border on alleged wilful obstruction of authorized officers of EFCC, refusing to declare asset, making false information and offering gratification to a public official.
When the charge was read to him, Mr. Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, pleaded not guilty.
In view of his plea, prosecution counsel, Rotimi Oyedepo, asked the court to fix a date for trial and to remand the defendant in prison custody.
However, the counsel to Mr. Tarfa, Bolaji Ayorinde, SAN, told the court that he had filed an application for bail.
He urged the court to grant bail to the defendant on self-recognition.
One of the counts read: “That you Rickey Tarfa SAN on the 29th day of January 2014 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court intentionally gave the sum of N1, 500,000.00 to Hon. Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya of the Federal High Court directly from your Zenith Bank Account No. 1002926967 in order that the said judge acts in the exercise of his official duties.”
Another charge reads: “That you Rickey Tarfa SAN on or about the 15th day of December, 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this Honourable Court intentionally gave the sum of N500,000.00 to Hon. Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court indirectly through Awa Ajia Nigeria Limited’s account No. 0000971941 domiciled in Access Bank Plc belonging to Hon. Justice Nganjiwa Hyeladzira Ajiya in order that Hon. Mohammed Nasir Yunusa refrains from acting in the exercise of his official duties.”
In a similar development, the EFCC also arraigned Joseph Nwobike, also a SAN, before Justice R.I.B Adebiyi of the Lagos State High Court on five-count charge of allegedly offering gratification and attempting to pervert the course of justice.
Mr. Nwobike is facing criminal prosecution for allegedly bribing a Federal High Court judge to refrain from exercising the duties of his office.
The defendant admitted in his statement to the EFCC that he gave N750,000 to Justice Yunusa to assist the Judge in th
e treatment of his ailing mother who is alleged to be suffering from kidney disease.
One of the counts reads: “You Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) on the 28th day of March 2015 in Lagos within the jurisdiction of this honourable court, intentionally gave the sum of N750,000 to Honourable Justice Mohammed Nasir Yunusa of the Federal High Court directly through your United Bank for Africa Account No. 1002664061 in order that the said Judge refrains from acting in the exercise of his official duties and thereby committed an offence contrary to section 64 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State No. 11 of 2011”.
Mr. Nwobike pleaded not guilty when the charge was read to him.
In view of his plea, Rotimi Oyedepo, the prosecution counsel asked the court for a trial date.
However, the defendant’s counsel, A.I Layonu, prayed the court to admit his client to bail on self-recognition.
Mr. Oyedepo did not oppose the prayer of the defence counsel.
Consequently, Justice Adebiyi admitted Mr. Nwobike to bail on self-recognition and adjourned the matter till April 11, 21 and 22 for commencement of trial.
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