FG tenders cash and firearms, found on Justice Ademola

The Deparment of State Service (DSS) has tendered before Justice Jude Okeke of a Federal Capital Territory High Court, Maitama, cash and firearms, recovered from the home of Justice Adeniyi Ademola, when the DSS carried out a sting operation, on some selected Senior Judges.

The items including, a white bag containing 12 bundles of N1000 notes totalling N6million; a black bag containing 17 bundles of N1000 notes totalling N8.5million; an ash-coloured Ghana-must-go bag containing 79 bundles of N1000 notes totalling N39.5million; United States’ Dollar bills in 11 wraps of $100 bills, one wrap of $50 bills and 61 pieces of $100 bills and several pieces of $20, $10 and $5 bills all amounting to $121,279, €4,400, £80 and 1000 Indian Rupees were tendered before the court.

Segun Jegede, prosecuting counsel, at the resumption of trial, tendered the exhibits which were admitted through Umar Ahmed, a prosecuting witness in the matter, and an operative of the DSS, without any objection from the defense counsels.

Two Avar Magnum pump action rifles which were licensed to Justice Ademola and Justice Ramat Mohammed, also of an Abuja Federal High Court; one pack of red head cartridges containing 25 pieces and 10 pieces of white head cartridges, photocopy and original of two firearm licenses were also tendered before the court.

Due to the enormity of the cash involved, the trial court granted an application, urging the Director of litigation to take the cash to a safe deposit, and produce same whenever it is needed by the court.

Cross examination of the witness did, take a dramatic turn when he became evasive on most questions thrown at him the defense counsels.

When Ahmed was asked if he was part of the sting operation that took place, he simply said; ” what is a sting operation, i do not know what a sting operation is called. I am not a field officer”, this was among other evasive replies he gave to the defense team, which eventually had to give up on the cross examination.

The matter was adjourned to February 9, 2017 for continuation.