Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia has been ordered back to the bench of the Federal High Court by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The decision was made at a meeting of the NJC on December 1, 2022, according to NewsXtra’s findings.
On December 5, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, issued a circular informing judges of the development per the NJC’s mandate.
This circular informs the judicial officers that “the Hon. Justice R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia was reinstated as a Judicial Officer at the meeting of the National Judicial Council held on December 1, 2022.”
“The reinstatement takes instant effect, and there shall be consequential posting.”
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia with 15 counts related to money laundering and breaking the public’s trust.
The charges against her were dropped after a judgement by Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa (of the Federal High Court, Lagos) in November 2021.
In reversing the National Judicial Council (NJC) ‘s recommendations, Justice Lewis-Allagoa cited an earlier order by Justice Binta Nyako (of the Federal High Court, Abuja).
On November 28, 2019, Justice Nyako issued a ruling in the case marked: FHC/ABJ/CS/638/2018 brought by Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia against the NJC, dismissing the council’s report and its recommendations, including the judge’s dismissal.