The arraignment of suspended Federal High Court justice, Adeniyi Ademola and his wife Olubowale, the Head of Service of Lagos State over charges bordering on gratification has been stalled.
The Ademolas were scheduled for arraignment today before Justice Jude Okeke of an FCT High Court sitting in Maitama, Abuja over a 15 count charge accusing them of “corruptly” receiving a total sum of N248,101,300 and $520,000 as gratifications from law firms and others between 2013 and 2016.
However, prosecution counsel, Segun Jegede informed the court that the court’s bailiff’s attempt to serve the charge on the defendants has been unsuccessful. The Ademolas are reported to have travelled to Lagos, making the service on them personally to be impossible.
The prosecution also prayed the court to allow it withdraw the first 15 count charge filed against the defendants on the 14th November, 2016. A new 11 count charge was filed against the defendants on the 1st of December, 2016.
Counsel to the Ademolas in the matter, Barrister Jeph Njikonye told the court of his willingness to accept the charges on behalf of his clients subject to the order of the court.
Justice Okeke thereafter granted leave to the prosecution to serve the defendant’s counsel which was done immediately in the court room. He also struck out the first charge dated 14/11/2016.
The matter was thereby adjourned to 13/12/2016 for arraignment.
