THE National Judicial Council (NJC) has reinstated Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia as a Judge of the Federal High Court.
NJC said its decision was based on a court judgment that quashed a 15-count money laundering charge the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed against her.
The NJC had sanctioned the prosecution of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, following a petition, dated December 28, 2017, which accused her of engaging in various acts considered to be in breach of the Code of Conduct of Judicial Officers.
Based on the recommendation by the Council, President Muhammadu Buhari, on November 7, 2018, in the exercise of his constitutional power under Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, dismissed Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia as a Judge of the Federal High Court.
However, owing to an application by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia, the trial high court, in a ruling on November 19, 2021, discharged the defendant of the charges against her.
The court placed reliance on a judgment delivered on November 28, 2019 in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/638/2018, which quashed the NJC report that indicted the defendant.
Following that judgment, the NJC, at the end of a meeting held on December 1, okayed the reinstatement of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia to the Bench, a directive that has been complied with by the Chief Judge of the High Court, Justice John Tsoho.
Justice Tsoho, in a circular dated December 5, said Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia’s reinstatement was with immediate effect, adding: “Your Lordships are by this circular letter notified that at the meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) held on December 1, 2022, reinstated Justice R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia as a Judicial Officer.
“The reinstatement takes instant effect and there shall be consequential posting.”
