The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has arraigned a former Enugu State Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezuluike, before a State High Court in Enugu for alleged corruption.
Umezuluike appeared before Justice Anthony Onovo on a one-count charge of using his office to confer corrupt and unfair advantage.
He is accused of receiving N10 million as donation from wealthy businessman, Arthur Eze, in February 2014, at a time Eze was a litigant in a pending and concluded civil matter before the former chief judge.
Eze, Chief Executive Officer of Oranto Petroleum Limited, according to the EFCC, made the donation at the launch of Umezuluike’s book “ABC of Contemporary Land Law in Nigeria.”
The counsel to the EFCC, Wahab Shittu, told the court that the action was contrary to Section 19 of the Independent and Corrupt Practices and Other Related (offence) Act (Laws of the Federation) 2000.
The former Chief Judge, however, pleaded not guilty to the charge.
Umezuluike’s lawyer, Agu Gab-Agu, prayed the court to grant his client bail on self recognizance to and address him as “Honourable Justice.”
He argued that the former chief judge was granted bail on self recognizance in a similar matter pending before the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.
Justice Onovo granted the former chief judge bail in the sum of N1 million and ordered that he be addressed as Justice Umezuluike during the trial.
The Judge adjourned the case till October 26-27, and November 2-3, for definite hearing.
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