Justice Ademola demanded N25m bribe in proxy – Witness
Aprosecution witness yesterday told an FCT High Court how Justice Adeniyi Ademola allegedly demanded a bribe of N25 million from him through a proxy.
Justice Ademola is accused of, among others attempting to receive gratification in the sum of N25 million from one Sani Shaibu Teidi (a former Director of Finance and Accounts in the office of the Head of Service of the Federation) on February 21, 2014.
Testifying as the sixth prosecution witness, Dr. Sani Shaibu Teidi, who the Federal Government Monday said recently escaped assassination, told the court an individual fronting for Justice Ademola pressurized his lawyer that unless he paid the sum of N25 million he would be remanded in prison.
He said this was after the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged him before Justice Ademola in relation to the over N4 billion pension fund fraud.
Led in evidence by prosecution counsel, Barrister Segun Jegede, the witness said after meeting the bail conditions granted by Justice Ademola, he was told by the judge that his case was like terrorism and kidnapping, therefore he will take his time to study the file before appending his signature to the bail.
“The next day we met, Justice Ademola told me rain fell on my file and there was no way he can work on the file until it dries and I was taken back to the prison. Before then, the person that was acting for Justice Ademola told my wife that even if the bail was perfected, I will not be allowed to enjoy the bail except I pay the N25 million he demanded”, he said.
Under cross-examination by Justice Ademola’s counsel, Dr. Onyechi Ikpeazu (SAN), the witness said he never received calls directly from Justice Ademola demanding for the N25 million. He also said the identity of the person making the demands was ascertained as one Kingsley O. through the two bank account numbers he gave for the money to be paid into. He however, said he never reported the case of attempted extortion to the Police nor the EFCC. The trial continues today.