Judge arraigned by the EFCC over #8.6 million Fraud
The judge who is attached to the Bayelsa Division of the Federal High Court, was arraigned on a 14 count charge.
His arraignment followed the dismissal of a preliminary objection he filed to challenge the jurisdiction of the court to try him.
However, the prosecution said that despite being a serving judge, Mr Nganjiwa had no immunity from criminal prosecution.
Mr Oyedepo the prosecuting counsel said: “I therefore urge this court to dismiss the preliminary objection and order Justice Nganjiwa to proceed into the dock for his arraignment."
In her ruling the judge, Mrs Akintoye, upheld Mr Oyedepo’s argument and dismissed Justice Nganjiwa’s preliminary objection.
“This court, having been properly constituted, has the power to try this case. The notice of preliminary objection, I hold, is therefore misconceived and same is hereby dismissed,” she said.
According to Premium Times, Mr Nganjiwa pleaded not guilty to all 14 counts.
However, in a short ruling, the judge said she was inclined to grant Justice Nganjiwa bail on self-recognisance in view of his status as a serving judge.
She directed the accused judge to deposit his passport in the custody of the Chief Registrar of the Lagos State High Court within seven days or that the EFCC should deposit same if the passport was still in its custody.
Thereafter adjourned till October 6 and 10 for commencement of trial. The special assistant to the president on prosecution, Mr Okoi Obono-Obla has revealed the next step the federal government will take concerning the judges earlier dragged to court for alleged corruption.
Obono-Obla revealed that one of the judges recently recalled from suspension by the National Judicial Council will be charged this week with offences bordering on receiving gratification from lawyers.
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