A female judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Rita Ofili- Ajumogobia yesterday reported to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for interrogation on alleged corrupt practices on the bench.

She became the sixth judge out of eight under investigation by the anti-graft commission.

Two more judges were being expected to interact with the commission.

Those already grilled by the EFCC are Justices Mohammed Nasir Yunusa; Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa; Musa Haruna Kurya; Agbadu James Fishim; and Uwani Abba Aji.

A source in EFCC, who spoke in confidence said: “Justice Rita Ofili- Ajumogobia reported to our office on Thursday at about 6pm. You know she has refused to honour our invitation and we were about to enforce the law when she came to our office.

“Our detectives have been questioning her on a few issues which had been isolated.”

The National Judicial Council (NJC) had in February sanctioned Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia for misconduct on the bench.

The Council also barred her from elevation to the Court of Appeal or taking any judicial appointment.

A statement by the Acting Director of Information of NJC, Mr. Soji Oye said: “The NJC, under the Chairmanship of Justice Mahmud Mohammed, at its meeting on February 24 and 25, 2016 decided to warn Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia and put her on the “watch-list” of the council for the next four years.

“The judge will also not be considered for any elevation to the Court of Appeal or any ad hoc judicial appointment till her retirement from the Bench.

“The decision was sequel to the petition written against her by Victoria Ayeni, alleging misconduct and injustice on the part of Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia for failing to deliver judgment in Suit No FHC/AB/CS/31/2011, a pre-election matter between Victoria A. A. Ayeni and Olusola Sonuga and two Ors.

“She was also alleged to have adjourned the pre-election matter severally until the termination of the life span of the Ogun State House of Assembly.

The decision of the Council on Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia is with immediate effect.”

Two of the six judges were alleged to have received over N2.75million bribe from two senior lawyers Rickey Tarfa (SAN) and Joseph Nwobike (SAN).

The EFCC had on March 9, 2016 arraigned Tarfa and Nwobike before Lagos High Court on allegations of bribery and offering gratification to a public official.

“Nwobike and Tarfa are facing criminal prosecution for allegedly offering gratification to Federal High Court judges to refrain them from exercising the duties of their office.

“Subsequent investigation revealed that the two Judges allegedly received sums of money from the two senior lawyers severally.”