On Monday, the Federal Government formally filed a 15-count criminal charge against Adeniyi Francis Adetokunbo Ademola, a 63-year-old serving judge of the Federal High Court, and his wife Mrs. Olabowale Toluwatope Ademola.
The charges were filed at the high court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and signed by a principal state counsel, Hajara Yusuf, on behalf of Alhaji Abubakar Malami (SAN), the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF) and Minister of Justice.
The couple allegedly committed these offences between February 2014 and June 2016 contrary to section 8 of the Independent Corrupt Practices Commission Act 2011 and Section 115 of the Penal Code Law.
The accused allegedly received N30 million from Messrs Joe Ode Agi Associates between 11th and 26th of March 2015 and another N40 million between 20th and 21st of February 2014.
Justice Adeniyi was specifically alleged to have received N30 million from Messrs Joe Agi Associates between 11th and 26th March 2015. His wife also received N30 million from Messrs Joe Agi Associates.
According to the prosecution, Justice Adeniyi Ademola on 6th May 2013 received $520,000 from Messrs Johnson & Johnson Solicitors and another N6 million between 25th of February and 16th April 2015 from Messrs Johnson & Johnson Solicitors.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola was alleged to have accepted N55,650,000 from Messrs G.T. J Ademola & Co between 5th January and 23rd June 2016.
It was further alleged that Justice Adeniyi Ademola on 20th February 2014 accepted N40,000,000 from Vertice Solutions Ltd as well as accepting another N47,600,000 from Acardian Energy Services Ltd.
The prosecution further alleged that Justice Adeniyi Ademola on 20 February 2014 accepted N34,080,000 from Omotayo Babafemi Aliyu and N4,771,300 from Lawan Suliaman between 21st February and 7th November 2014.
Justice Adeniyi Ademola was also alleged to have accepted N30,000,000 from Messrs Joe Odey Agi Associates between 20th and 21st February 2014.
Justice Ademola is the grandson to Nigeria’s first indigenous Chief Justice of the Federation, Sir Adetokunbo Adegboyega Ademola.
Justice Ademola was one of the serving Judges who was arrested on 8th October, 2016 by the Department of State Services (DSS).
No date has been fixed for trial as the case is yet to be assigned to a Judge.
