How Justice Ademola, wife allegedly received N552 million bribe

A Federal High Court judge arrested five weeks ago has been charged by the Nigerian government for bribery and racketeering to the tune N552 million, court documents show.

The Office of the Attorney-General filed a 15-count charge against Adeniyi Ademola at the High Court of Federal Capital Territory on Monday afternoon, detailing how he allegedly carried out the ignoble act within a period of two years.

Also charged alongside Mr. Ademola was his wife, Olabowale, who currently serves as the Lagos State Head of Service.

Mr. Ademola was first arrested by State Security Service in the early hours of October 8 as part of a nationwide anti-corruption sweep.

The crackdown also affected other high court judges across five states, including two justices of the Supreme Court.

According to the charges prepared by Hajara Yusuf on behalf of Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, the Ademolas allegedly solicited and received bribes from legal counsels who had cases before them.

Between 2013 and 2016, about N388 million and $520, 000 went to the couple through different channels, amounting to about N552 million in total, the court document showed.

According to the affidavit, Mr. Ademola allegedly received N30 million from Messrs Joe Agi Associates between March 11 and 26, 2015. His wife also allegedly received N30 million from the same firm.

Other times, the couple allegedly received, N10 million, N40 million, N55 million, and others through their GTBank accounts.

In count eight, Mr. Ademola was accused of receiving $520,000 from Messrs. Johnson and Johnson Associates in Abuja in May 2013.

It is not immediately clear if a judge has been assigned to the case.