The National Judicial Council has reinstated Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia as a Federal High Court Judge (NJC).
The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, announced this in a circular dated Monday, December 5, 2023.
In a circular sent to all Federal High Court judges, Justice Tsoho stated that Ofili-Ajumogobia reinstatement is effective immediately.
The Chief Judge also copied the court’s Chief Registrar, Director of Library, and Deputy Director of Finance and Accounts.
“Your Lordships are hereby notified that at the National Judicial Council meeting on December 1, 2022, the council reinstated Hon. Justice R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia as a judicial officer.”
“The reinstatement is effective immediately, and there will be consequential posting,” the circular states.
Remember that in 2016, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged the judge with money laundering and breach of public trust.
However, a Lagos High Court judge, Justice Hakeem Oshodi, dismissed corruption charges against her.
Oshodi dismissed the 31-count charge of alleged perversion of the course of justice, unlawful enrichment, and forgery in April 2019 on the grounds that the court lacked jurisdiction to hear the case.
The EFCC filed charges against Ofili-Ajumogobia and Godwin Obla.
In 2018, the NJC removed Ofili-Ajumogobia from the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC) for alleged judicial misconduct.
Dissatisfied, she filed a lawsuit against the NJC’s fact-finding committee, which recommended her dismissal, before Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Federal High Court.
She asked the court to rule that her dismissal was unconstitutional, null and void.
