Justice A. A. Akintoye rejected Tarfa’s application filed through his counsel, Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), seeking to restrain the court from hearing a 27-count charge against him, until the Court of Appeal decides an appeal on the matter. The EFCC arraigned Tarfa on March 10 for allegedly offering a N5.3million gratification to a judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Hyeladzira Nganjiwa, in order to compromise the judge. The commission alleged that Tarfa transferred the money in several tranches to the judge and that the offence was contrary to Section 64 (1) of the Criminal Law of Lagos State, No.11, 2011. The charge also included allegations of wilful obstruction of authorised EFCC officials, refusal to declare assets and making false information. At the commencement of proceedings on Friday, Owonikoko told the court that the defendant had filed an application for stay of proceedings pending when the Court of Appeal will hear his appeal on the April 22 ruling.]]>