N81m bribe: Judge withdraws from Justice Nganjiwa’s case

http://www.gatewaymail.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/Walter-Samuel-Nkanu-Onnoghen...CJN_..jpg

 

By Adetokunbo FAKEYE (Abuja)

NIGERIA:  THE trial of Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Bayelsa Division, could not continue on Thursday as the trial judge, Justice Adedayo Akintoye of the Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere, disclosed that the case file had been transferred to another court.

Justice Nganjiwa is being prosecuted by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFFC) for unlawful enrichment to the tune of $260, 000 and N8.65million (about N81, 705,000).

While explaining the reason for the development, Justice Akintoye explained that she resolved to withdraw from the case following a petition written by Justice Nganjiwa alleging bias and seeking the transfer of the case to another judge.

“In view of the letter written by the defence to the administrative judge, the case file is no longer with me,” she said, adding: “It has been transferred to another court.”

Both the defendant and his counsel were absent in court on Wednesday.

Justice Nganjiwa had been granted bail on self-recognition after he pleaded not guilty to the 14-count charge preferred against him.

Thereafter, counsel to the accused, Chief Robert Clarke, SAN, had filed a motion on notice dated October 4, 2017 seeking a stay of proceedings.

While moving his application on October 6, 2017, Clarke had said: “My Lord, after an appeal has been entered at the Court of Appeal, a date has been given for hearing.  My Lord, in the interest of Justice and the Constitution of Nigeria, I urge you to grant this application.”

However, the prosecution counsel, Wahab Shittu, had opposed the application based on the provision of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, ACJA.

“We strongly oppose this application based on the ACJA.  It’s incompetent because the law does not allow it.  My Lord, this will cause delay.  Our courts frown on delay tactics by defence counsel,” Shittu said.

“The fact that defendant has taken his plea means that he has surrendered himself to the jurisdiction of the court.  This application is incomplete; it’s designed to delay proceedings.  I urge my Lord to dismiss the application and order the prosecution to commence its case.  In fact, my Lord, our witnesses are ready,” he also told the court.

In her short ruling, Justice Akintoye dismissed the application, saying, that “the application before the court is motion on notice, asking the court for stay of proceedings.”

“The judiciary system has moved away from delay tactics,” she said, adding: “As a result, this matter will continue today (Wednesday). The application is hereby dismissed.  We will proceed with the trial.”

Following the ruling, counsel to the defendant had pleaded with the court for more time to go through the proof of evidence served on him by the prosecution.

Consequently, Justice Akintoye had adjourned the case to November 13, 15 and 22, 2017 for continuation of trial, after dismissing Nganjiwa’s application for stay of proceedings.

• To contact GatewayMail newspaper, Toronto, Canada email us at: info@gatewaymail.org, whatsapp or text message: +2348033186252 (no calls).