Appeal pending against Justice Ademola –FG

It may not yet be uhuru for Justice Adeniyi Ademola and two others discharged and acquitted by a Federal Capital Territory High Court headed by Justice Jude Okeke.

This is because the Federal Government has appealed the judgement.

It would be recalled that Justice Ademola had been away from his duty post to stand trial on charges of criminal conspiracy to receive gratification.

He however returned to the office on Wednesday after staying away for eight months.

But in a statement issued on Thursday, the Special Assistant to the Presdient on Prosection, Mr. Okoi Obono-Obla, said the appeal became necessary as result of decision taken by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The statement reads:  “I want to debunk the false impression created in some sections of the media that the NJC was not aware or that there was no appeal filed by the office of the Attorney-General of the Federation against the ruling of Justice Okeke.

“Nothing can be further from the truth. The Office of the Attorney-General filed notices of appeal against the ruling of Justice Okeke over his ruling discharging and acquitting the three defendants on April, 7.

“Accordingly, the Court of Appeal pursuant to Order 8 Rule 2 (a) of the Court of Appeal Rules has invited counsel to the appellant (the Federal Republic of Nigeria) and the respondents to attend court on June 6, to reconcile documents for record of appeal”.