2nd March, 2016
Akin Kuponiyi
A Federal High Court sitting in Lagos Wednesday ruled that Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Mr. Rickey Tarfa, can file a further and better affidavit to prove that the controversial N225,000 was not paid into a judge’s account but a former employee of his law firm.
Tarfa had after his detention by the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) filed a N2.5 billion enforcement rights suit against the anti-graft agency and its Chairman, Ibrahim Magu.
EFCC in its own counter-affidavit alleged that the senior lawyer paid the said amount into the account of Justice Mohammed Yunusa of the then Federal High Court, Lagos.
After hearing the arguments of both parties, Justice Ibrahim Idris adjourned judgment last Monday.
However, before the judgment could be delivered, a former staff of Rickey Tarfa and Co., Mr. Muhammed Awwal Yunusa, in a sworn affidavit stated that he was the person whose account Tarfa paid the said money into, contrary to earlier depositions that the money was paid into the judge’s account to assist him to bury his fatther-inlaw.
This new evidence halted the delivery of the judgment more so as Tarfa through his lead counsel, Chief Bolaji Ayorinde (SAN) asked the court to allow him bring the new evidence in his record.
But, EFCC lawyer , Mr. Wahab Shittu, opposed the application to file the new evidence.
Ruling on the application, Justice Idris agreed with Tarfa and held that “in the interest of justice, a party should be allowed to bring any evidence or material that would aid his case.”
Further hearing in the matter continues Thursday.