The trial of Justice Adeniyi Ademola, his wife and Joe Agi (SAN), continued with Babatunde Adepoju, stating in his evidence-in-chief that the sum of N30 million said to have been paid into the account of Adebowale Adeniyi, was indeed for the support of Ademola’s family.
Adepoju, an operative of the Department of State Service (DSS), who investigated the allegations levelled against Justice Ademola and two others, stated that he later confirmed that the money was indeed given by the two individuals, who sent $150,000, which was about 37million, out of which Agi was instructed to transfer N30 million to the Ademolas.
“I was told that there was an allegation that Justice Ademola, using his position as Federal High Court Judge and his close tie with Senator Ahmed Tinubu, influenced the appointment of his wife as Head of Service of Lagos State.
“There was also an allegation of Justice Ademola collecting bribes at the early stages of the cases involving former National Security Adviser (NSA), Colonel Sambo Dasuki, and the case of Nnamdi Kanu, the leader of Indigenous People Of Biafra (IPOB).
“He denied any association with Senator Ahmed Tinubu, who was alleged to have influenced the appointment. According to Justice Ademola, his wife was the most senior Permanent Secretary in Lagos State as at the time of her appointment as Head of Service.
“On the allegation of $200million bribe, the defendant said the petitioner, two days after submitting his petition at NJC, came back to apologize to him, claiming that he was misinformed by counsel to Delta State government, and that the petitioner sworn to an affidavit in which he withdrew his earlier submitted petition.
“On Nnamdi Kanu, Justice Ademola denied receiving any bribe. He responded by saying that the case was earlier discharged at the Magistrate Court and when the case was brought before him, counsel to DSS, requested for extension of Kanu’s stay in custody for 90 days. After the expiration of 90 days, he felt no need to keep him”, the witness said.
On the allegations brought against the Judge by Shaibu Teidi, he told the court that he was aware of NJC findings on the allegations, which was dismissed for lacking in merit.
He also admitted that it was the same allegation that formed the subject matter of Count 13 of the charges brought against the Judge.
On the issue of illegal possession of fireams, the defense confronted the witness with Police permission letter, which he read in the court. He also called out the riffle number and consequently admitted that it was the same gun for which the defendant was authorized to hold.
The witness had earlier in his evidence in-chief, stated that the Judge illigally possessed firearm.
The witness was also showed copy of renewed license for the same fireams. He however noted that it was dated after investigation and reports were made.
The license was however admitted in evidence
The trial continues today with cross-examination of the same witness
