EXCLUSIVE: Justice Agbadu-Fishim, Replies NJC's Memo On Alleged Enrichment By EFCC, Gives Own Account, Before His Dismissal

The embattled Judge of National Industrial Court , Justice J.T Agbadu-Fishim, has giving his own account over petition brought against him by EFCC, stating that the gifts were made to him when he needed help and they should not be condemned for their charity. Justice J.T Agbadu-Fishim, stated this while responding to the National Judicial Council Memo on the petition brought against him by the Economic and Financial Commission, dated 15th Febuary, 2014, made available to TheNigerialawyer (TNL). Commenting on the allegations with respect to gifts received from the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Paul Usoro, SAN, Muiz Banire,SAN ,Mr. T.S. Adenuyi, late Chief Gani Adetola Kaseem, SAN, etc., Justice Fishim stated that he is not guilty of any of the allegations as he had received the said gifts sometimes before getting in contact with the subject matters, while others where received from persons who were sympathizers and simply church members. In the petition he dismissed the allegations on the petition and stated in details what transpired between him and those listed on the petition. Below Reads The Reply Justice J.T Agbadu-Fishim response made exclusively available to TheNigerialawyer (TNL)

Hon. Justice J.T. Agbadu-Dshim, PhD Presiding Judge Yenagoa Division

NATIONAL INDUSTRIAL COURT OF NIGERIA N. 3, Capt. Amangala Street, Ovon, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, Nigeria

15th February 2018 The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council, Supreme Court Complex, Three Arms Zone, Abuja. Through: The Hon. President, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Abuja. My Lord, RE: INVESTIGATION REPORT IN AN ALLEGED CASE OF UNLAWFUL ENRICHMENT. I have the honour to respond, most respectfully, to your memo dated 22nd January 2018 which was delivered to me at close of work on the 5thday of February 2018. Your said memo was accompanied by a petition against me by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). I here submit my response to the said petition as directed by your Lordship. By giving me this opportunity you have taken this matter out of the realm of hearsay, gossip and prejudice for this I am immensely grateful to you. I can never thank you and the National Judicial Council enough for the opportunity I now have to defend myself before an impartial body headed by your good self. I will now answer each of these allegations in the order in which they have been presented. MR. PAUL USORO SAN The learned senior counsel Mr. Usoro and I have known each other since my days in the University of Abuja and at the Bar, especially in the build-up to the enactment of the Nigerian Communications Act (NCA). We collaborated a number of times and met at seminars. The Nigerian Communications Act was one of my areas of research. This was long before I became a Judge. When I became a Judge, we never saw face to face, but we maintained a cordial relationship periodically through telephone. When I was bereaved, I informed him via text message and for this reason he gave me N250, 000. Mr. Usoro gave me the sum of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) only on 5th August, 2014 as vacation gift, N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) only on 22″ December, 2014 as Christmas gift and N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) only on 251h March 2015. Mr. Usoro has never appeared before me. He has never discussed with me any matter pending in my court or any other court. Until this investigation came up I never even knew that his chambers had any matter before me. SUIT NO. NICN/I111/150/2014 referred to in this petition by the EFCC was initiated in Calabar at which time I was still serving in the Lagos Division. The said matter came before my learned brother Justice F. I. Kola-Olalere who was in Calabar at that time. When Mr. Usoro first gave me N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) as vacation gift, I was still in LagosDivision and had not yet been transferred to Calabar where the said suit was filed. The certified true copy of the record of proceeding of the said suit which is hereby attached shows that different Counsels appeared for the Defendant. At the sitting of 3rd December 2014, Miss M. Obi appeared for the Defendant in Calabar; at the sitting of 31st February 2015 one Vivian Nwachi appeared for the Defendant; at the sitting of 22 April, 2014 when I was moved to Yenagoa, one Miss P.C. Okpala appeared for the Defendant; on 17th June, 2015 Harrison Okon, leading P.C. Okala appeared for the Defendant and on 23rd February, 2016 Harrison Okon appeared for the Defendant. None of the Counsel informed me that they were holding brief for Mr. Usoro. The matter was at the point of commencement of cross-examination of the 131 witnesses when I was transferred to Enugu, and the matter is now in the Port Harcourt Division and has commenced denovo before another Judge. From the records of the court available to me, there is no suit involving Mr. Usoro that has been handled by me. MR. T.S. ADEWUYI We knew each other in 1992 or there about, while I was a lecturer at the Federal Polytechnic llaro and also teaching weekend part-time programme at Yaba College of Technology. We have remained friends ever since. When I was teaching at University of Abuja we socialized whenever he came into Abuja. In that spirit of friendship of over twenty years, whenever I am bereaved I let him know as a friend. I solicit for assistance from him when the need arises and if it is convenient for him he assists me. Even though Mr. Adewuyi is a friend, he has never discussed with me any matter that I am handling that concerns him or his law firm. He has personally conducted only one case before me -SUIT NO. NICN/LA/2012, VIVIAN IJEOMA OKAFOR VS. ECOBANK NIGERIAN PLCain which judgment was delivered on 6th June 2014, with a monetary claim of N50m (Fifty Million Naira) only, among other reliefs which his client lost. None of the reliefs his client asked for was granted.The suit was dismissed against his client who was the Claimant. It is pertinent to note that even after Mr. Adewuyi lost a case he personally handled before me, that did not affect our relationship as he still gave me assistance of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty. Thousand Naira) only each on 3″1 July, 2014 and 21′ November, 2014. My friendship with him does not come to bear when I am deciding cases and he respects me for that and we are still friends. Also, it is in this petition that I became aware that I had decided a case involving Mr. Adewuyi’s law firm, which is Suit No. NICN/LAJ234/2012 — MRS. CHHCAODI VERA UZOR VS. STERLING BANK PLC. Like I said earlier, I do not discuss my cases with my friends. From the records, the name of the counsel who represented the parties are Mrs O.E. Jimoh for the Claimant and George Ibekwe for the Respondent. None of the Counsel announced that he or she was holding brief for Mr. T. S. Adewuyi. It was a claim for a total sum of N14,471,500 (Fourteen Million, Four Hundred and Seventy One Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) only, out of which the court awarded terminal entitlements of N523,408.92 (Five Hundred and Twenty Three Thousand, Four Hundred Eight Naira Ninety Two Kobo) only, and N175,500.00 (One Hundred and Seventy Five Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) being two weeks salary in lieu of notice in line with the terms of the contract. I did not award any cost or interest. Like I said Mr. Adewuyi never appeared in this matter that was decided on 25th July 2013 and I do not know which party his law firm represented and so the judgment was on the merits as far as I know. (The said judgments are hereby attached). It is therefore not true to say that my relationship with Mr. Adewuyi weighed on the performance of my judicial duties. More so that there was nocommunication between us regarding the case as can be seen from the call logs. LATE CHIEF GANI ADETOLA KASEEM, (SAN) Until his death CHIEF GANI ADETOLA KASEEM, (SAN) was expert in Labour Law Practice and handled several labour related cases up to the Supreme Court. I associated with him intellectually when I was a lecturer in Industrial and Labour Law in University of Abuja. Upon my appointment as a Judge, he was engaged by the Management of the Court to have an in-house training and interactive session with us the newly appointed judges in 2008. As a former academic, the late Chief Adetola Kaseem invited me on a few occasions to chair sessions, and in some instances deliver educational lectures at Trade Union seminars organized by him. The late Chief Adetola Kaseem gave me money on two occasions. He gave me N100,000 (Onc Hundred Thousand Naira) when I was bereaved and N250,000 (Two Hundred and fifty Thousand Naira) when lie invited me to chair a seminar he organized for Trade Unions at the Lagos Airport Hotel. On both occasions he requested for my account details and transferred the said money into it. As a sole Judge, Chief Adetola Kaseem never appeared before me to conduct any case. The case referred to by the petitioner NICN/LA/46/2012 NULGE VS. LAGOS STATE GOVERNMENT AND ANOR involved three parties, i.e. the Claimant and two Defendants. Until this petition was referred to me, I never knew that his chambers had interest in it because I do not discuss cases pending in my court with my friends. Even as at now I do not know which of the three parties his law firm represented. The names of the Counsel that appeared are C. Atewe for the Claimant, S. A. Oladipo for the 1st Defendant and Miss Bidemi Yusuf for the 2″ Defendant. None of the Counsel appeared as holding brief for him. Also, from the records available to me, the other two cases referred to in the petition i.e. NIC/LA/12/2011 and NIC/LA/06/2010 were heard by a panel of Judges headed by lion Justice B.B. Kanyip (Presiding), TIon Justice 0. A. Obaseki-Osaghae and myself as the third member of the panel and the decision was delivered by Hon. Justice B.B. Kanyip the Presiding Judge of Lagos Division of the court. This fact the petitioner knew but decided to conceal for reasons I do not know. CHIEF FELIX FAGBOHUNGBE, (SAN) I met Chief Felix Fagbohungbe, (SAN) sometime in 2007 at the Supreme Court New Legal Year Ceremony. We later saw again at an occasion organized by the Chartered Institute of Arbitrators. We became acquainted with each other and exchanged phone numbers as members of the same profession. ‘Throughout our relationship, he never appeared before me neither has he ever told me that his chambers had cases before me nor sought any favour from me despite our relationship. On occasions when I was bereaved of my father, father in-lawand my mother, I informed him via sms messages as a friend and he offered financial assistance between the periods of 2013 — 2015. He has also made financial gifts to me during Christmas and vacations. As the petitioner has stated, it is on record that F.O. Fagbohungbe & Co. had six cases before me while I was in the Lagos Division. These are: (1) Suit No. NICN/LA/274/2012: MBADIWE MICHAEL UWAEZEKA V. UNION BANK PLC wherein the case was dismissed for being statute barred in line with the provisions of Section 8(1) of the Limitation Law of Lagos State. Ruling delivered on February 18, 2014. (2) NICN/LA/220/2011: MRS ATIMOKON VS. UNION BANK PLC. This case was dismissed against the Claimant on 25th June, 2014. (3) Suit No. NICN/LA/182/2011: ONYEKA EMMANUEL UCHE VS. UNION BANK PLC. This case was struck out for lack of diligent prosecution due to the death of the Claimant. (4) NICN/LAJ491/2012: PAUL AGILIGAABOLO VS. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC, Judgment delivered in favour of the claimant wherein I held that the termination was wrongful and awarded the appropriate remedy. It was delivered on June 19, 2015. (5) NICN/LA/306/2012: VICTOR ABIODUN ODUTAYO VS. UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC, the Judgment was delivered on 10th November, 2015 in favour of the Claimant and Judgment sum of N4,332,000.00 (Four Million, Three Hundred and Thirty Two Thousand Naira) only including cost of N80,000 (Eighty Thousand Naira) only against the Defendant whom Chief F. 0. Fagbohungbe & Co defended. (6) NICN/LA/132/2011: AIJGUSTINE ARIBA VS. UNION BANK PLC, which judgment was delivered by me in favour of the Claimant and judgment sum of N4,032,000.00 (Four Million and Thirty Two Thousand Naira) only and N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) as cost against the Defendant whom Chief F.O. Fagbohungbe & Co. defended. My Judgment was howevcrset aside on appeal by Chief Fagbohungbe & Co. The Court of Appeal Lagos Division in CAL/L/814/2013 in UNION BANK OF NIGERIA PLC VS. AUGUSTINE ARIBA, delivered on 7th November, 2014upturned my decision and ordered that the case be remitted for trial by another judge. So if I could rule against my friend’s client’s interest, and a higher court reversed my judgment on appeal by my friend who assists me, I do not know if my reward should be what I am passing through now. In all of these, my view is that my friendship with my colleagues at the Bar does not influence my decisions and they have known me for that. As a matter of fact the judgments I delivered against Chief Fagbohungbe& Co did not affect our friendship as he still sent assistance to me of N250,000 (Two Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) each on 19thDecember, 2014 and 26’1 February, 2015 even when I was no longer serving in Lagos division and his chambers had no case before me. ENEBONG ETE, EDITOR IN-CHIEF/PUBLISHER OF THE NIGERIAN LABOUR LAW My relationship with Enebong Ete, the Editor in-chief and Publisher of the Nigerian Labour Law Reports published by Rocheba Law Publishers is both academic and that of a long time acquaintance since my days as an academic with interest in Labour Law matters. At the request of the Editor In-chief, Mr. Ete, I accepted to vet and edit the manuscripts before the judgments which are Labour Law related are published. I have also presented seminar papers in Labour Law colloquium organized by Rocheba Law Publishers. Payment for the editorial and consultancy services were made to me from time to time based on the sales. The payments were made in the names of Enebong Ete, Rocheba Law Publishers, Ikang Conglomerate Nig. Ltd owned by Mr. Enobong Ete. To the best of my knowledge, all payments made to me were for my intellectual services to Rocheba Law Publishers. The case of OLGETTE PROJECTS LTD VS. NUPENG in which Mr. Ete appeared before mewas struck out against Mr. Ete’s client. The case of CHARLES UMOH VS. NSPMC was not heard by me but by Hon. Justice Obaseki-Osaghae. The case of COMRADE BOBBOIBALAICAIGAMA& 3 ORS VS. TARABA STATE CIVIL SERVICE COMMISSION & 3 ORS – Suit No. NICN/LA/377/20I2 in which Mr. Ete appeared did not go to trial as the parties settled amicably and filed terms of settlement, which was entered as judgment of court on 3″I June, 2013. From the available records, Mr. lite never had any contested case before me. In January 2015, the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria, invited me to participate in a seminar as a Raportur and Chairman of session. At the time I was in Calabar Division. I attended the seminar after which an honouranum of N500,000.00 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) only which included my travelling expenses to and from Calabar, and hotel accommodation etc., was paid to me by the Association. It is not true to say that as at 2015 when I was invited for the seminar there was any pending case involving the Association before me. DR. MUIZ BANIRE, (SAN). Dr. Muiz Banire, (SAN) and I knew each other in the early 1990s, as colleagues in academics, and we both marked law courses with Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria !CAN. He also supported me for my post graduate programme at the Faculty of Law University of Lagos, where he had been a lecturer. We related very well as friends and former colleagues. When I was bereaved of my mother, I informed him via sms. Ile thereafter requested for my account details which I sent to him. Until this investigation came up, I never knew that Dr Muiz Banirc’s law firm had any matter before me because he had never for once appeared before me. From the records, the said suits were handled by Mr. Bayo Badmus appearing with L. Baruwa and at no time did they say they were from Dr. I3anire’s law firm or holding brief for him. Therefore, whatever was the outcome of the cases mentioned in the petition was based on the merit of the cases the way I see them. I have stated above that my relationship with my colleagues does not weigh on me when deciding matters involving them, even if such friends personally conduct the cases. The cases, Suit NO. NIC/LA/501/2012 ADENIRAN VS. MODANDOLA was concluded by Consent Judgment of the parties which was adopted by the court. The matter never went to trial, while SUIT NO. NICN/LAJ79/2011 LYNDA UMEHOBIEKWE VS. MTN COMM. LTD. was decided in favour of the Defendant. CHIEF ADENIYI AKINTOLA, (SAN). I knew Chief Adeniyi Akintola, (SAN) during my early years in practice. I regarded him as a mentor. Even when I moved from Ilaro in Ogun State to Abuja where I was teaching in the University of Abuja, we still related very well as friends and a mentor in the profession. Because of our friendship, he has given me financial assistance at times of my various bereavement as a friend whom 1 knew long before I became a Judge. Despite my relationship with Chief Akintola, he has never won any case before me. In fact, he lost all the six cases he personally handled before me in Abuja Division. The cases are as follows. 1) NIC/AB3/31/2011: DR NWOJO N. AGWU VS. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, a judgment delivered on 26th September, 2014 in which I awarded the Claimant’s claim of $25,332.00 (Twenty Five Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Two US Dollars and N20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) to the Claimant against Chief NiyiAkintola’s Client. 2) NIC/ABJ/32/2011: PROF. O.F. NWAGBARAVS AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA in which I awarded the sum of $14,107.50, (Fourteen Thousand, One Hundred and Seven USD and N30,000.00 (Thirty Thousand Naira) against the Defendant, Chief Akintola SAN’s client. 3) PROF FERDINAND NWAFOR VS. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA, judgment delivered in favour of the Claimant against the Defendant, Chief Akintola’s client 4) PROF JOHN 0. UKAWULULU VS. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA SUIT NO. NIC/ABJ/34/2011,- where I granted the Claimant’s claim in the sum of $118,833.41 (One Hundred and Eighteen Thousand, Eight Hundred and Thirty three UD Dollars against the Defendant. 5) BENEDICT N. AKANEGBU VS. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA , SUIT NO. NIC/ABJ/35/2011, where in a judgment sum of $103,500.00 (One Hundred and Three Thousand, Five Hundred USD was awarded and against the Defendant who was Chief Akintola’s client. 6) DR. UZOMAOKORIE VS. AMERICAN UNIVERSITY OF NIGERIA SUIT NO. NIC/ABJ/441/2011 wherein the sum of $4,166.65 (Four Thousand, One Hundred and sixty Six UD dollars and $8,333.03 (right Thousand, Three Hundred and Thirty Three US dollars was awarded in favour of the Claimant, against the Defendant. From the above cases, it is clear that whatever assistance Chief Akintola gave to me which is a total of N400,000.00 (Four Hundred Thousand Naira) only did not influence me to give judgment in favour of his clients. I therefore do not know what the petitioner intends to achieve by bringing up this point in the petition. CHIEF MIKE AHAMBA, (SAN). Chief Mike Ahamba, (SAN) did not pay money into my account. The above cases in which Chief Ahamba’s client won was on its merits and in line with the Supreme Court Authorities that: where the employer determines the contract before the expiration of the term of a fixed contract agreed, the employer shall be made to pay the full salary the employee would have received for the unexpired period of the fixed contractual term. SEE COLLEGE OF EDUCATION EKIADOLOR VS. OSAYAUDE (2010) 6 NWLR (PT 1191) 423, SHEMA SECURITY CO. LTD VS. AFROPAK (MG) 2008 18 NWLR (PT. 1118) P.77, EKITI STATE VS. AKINYEMI (2012) 4 NILRP. 140 AT PP 181-182.The cases of all the Claimants that Chief Ahamba represented were all in line with this established judicial decisions. Therefore the insinuation by the petitioner that Chief Ahamba had influenced me is untrue. Miss A. Akinwu is a lady I knew when we were in Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON) forum. When my mother died in November 2014 she requested for my account number and paid N200,000 (Two Hundred Thousand Naira) only into it. She had no matter before me. Mr. Bimbo Atilola is a good friend of mine. He is a lawyer but he has no matter before me. I have known him and have related intellectually with him as the publisher of the Nigerian Labour Review which publishes journals on Labour Law. He has never appeared before me neither does his law firm have any case before me. There was never a time that I solicited in open court publicly from any lawyer or party in court. I did not even know the ounsel who handled the cases in question i.e. NICN/PH/215/2013 and NICN/PI1C01/2015. I started hearing these cases in Calabar and decided them in Yenegoa. From the records, the case sought for declaratory reliefs as to whether a particular association is a registered trade union or not and if not they should stop parading as one. No money was paid into my account for condolence while I was handling these matters in Calabar and Yenagoa. It is therefore not true to say that anybody visited me in my office where I asked for money. This is a make-up story from the petitioner and his cohorts who are just making up false stories against me. VALENTINE OBI, (SAN) — ALLIANCE LAW FIRM Regarding the allegation that one Valentine Obi, (SAN) — Alliance Law Firm paid N400,000(Four Hundred Thousand Naira) into my account. This is not true because I have no relationship with the said Valentine Obi at all. I am not even familiar with this said person. The money paid into my account was a cheque of NI 50,000,00(One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira) by my vendor one Uche Obi on 21′ August, 2015. When I was in Lagos Division I used to have a book vendor called Uche Obi who used to collect books from me among other books and go round to sell them and remit money to my account after deducting his commission. The case, Suit No. NIC/L/07/2010 between NESTOIL PLC V NUPENG was struck out against the Claimant Nestoil Plc in 2012. It was a unanimous decision by a panel of three Judges presided by Hon Justice B.B. Kanyip, with Hon Justice 0. A. Obaseki-Osaghae and myself as the 3rd member. The said ruling was delivered by the Presiding Judge Hon Justice B. B. Kanyip. I do not therefore know how the petitioner wants to link that 2012 ruling which was against the client of Valentine Obi with the purchase of books through a vendor in 2015 by Alliance Law Finn. MR. BAYO OMOTUBORA. Regarding Mr. Bayo Omotubora, I know Bayo as a colleague at the Bar and a friend. I knew him while he was at the University of Lagos and I was also doing my post graduate programme there. I informed him like any of my friends of my bereavement and he sent in N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) only to me. Bayo Omotubora filed two applications in Suit No NIC/LA/664/2012. One was Motion Exparte which I refused and the other case was Motion on Notice which I also dismissed. The certified true copies of the two applications filed before me by Mr. Bayo Omotubora which I did not grant despite our relationship is hereby attached. I did not confer any benefit or advantage nor give any order or judgment in his favour as the petitioner has alleged. It is totally untrue and mischievous. MR. NORISSON QUARTERS, (SAN). Mr. Norisson Quarters, (SAN) was my classmate. We were at the Nigerian Law School together and we all belong to Nigerian Law School Class of 1991. I have therefore known him for more than 25 years. We are friends and we relate well. He has no matter before me. His law firm also had no case in my court. He assisted me with the sum of N100,000.00 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) only in 2013 as a friend since he could not personally attend to commiserate with me. MR. C. I. EWELUZOR. I got to know Mr. C. I. Eweluzor when I was in practice.We were all members of the Christian Lawyers Fellowship of Nigeria (CLASFON). Many Judges, Justices and Lawyers of the Christian Faith belonged to this Association. On that basis we related very well before I became a Judge in 2008. Mr. Eweluzo maintained contact with me from time to time. I remember he bought copies of my Principle of Nigerian Company Law for his law firm which he paid through my account. He also, on two occasions when I was bereaved sent me assistance on behalf of CLASFON and for himself. The two cases NICN/EN/187 and NICN/PHC/149/2014 referred to in this petition were before Hon Justice F. I. Kola-Olalere whom I took over from on my transfer to Calabar and later Yenagoa. The cases had to start denovo with me and till I was again transferred to Enugu Division I had not started hearing because the Claimant was said to have died. Mr. Cosmas Eweluzor has no pending matter before me. MR. ROLAND OTARU, (SAN). Mr. Roland Otaru, (SAN) and I have known each other since my days in practice. There was a time I was a member of the Planning Committee to raise funds to assist my local church at home. I then sent the invitation letter for the fund raising to him. I never even saw himpersonally. I wrote my account number at the back of the card and he magnanimously sent in the sum of N150,000.00(One Hundred and Fifty Naira) only, which I gave to the church and told them to call him to thank him and acknowledge receipt which I was told they did. Mr Otaru has never appeared before me and his chambers did not also have any matter before me. DR JOSEPH NWOBIKE, (SAN). Dr. Joseph Nwobike, (SAN) and I have been friends since my days at the Bar. We always have good interactions whenever we meet at the Supreme Court Legal Year Ceremonies and at conferences even before I became a Judge. When my father died on 8th October 2013, I informed him and he sent me NI50,000.00 (One Hundred and Fifty Thousand Naira). Also when my mother died on 30th November 2014, Dr Nwobike sent me N100,000 (One hundred Thousand Naira). Also, on 10th September, 2015 he sent me N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) as vacation gift. Dr. Joseph Nwobike has never had a case before me neither has he appeared before me since I became a Judge. He is just a good friend. MRS EVELYN OBIOHA. Mrs Evelyn Obioha is a member of my church the Redeemed Christian church of God at the Redemption Camp, Lagos. She co-ordinates the welfare related matters and also belongs to the elders forum of the church. When I was bereaved of my mother, Mrs. Obioha on behalf of herself and the two groups gave me N500,000 each as it is customary whenever a member is deprived of a close relation through death. She is a lawyer but she does not have any matter before me. DR. MRS STELLA OKOLL Dr. Mrs. Stella Okoli is a member of my church, a spiritual mentor and somebody my family and I have known. When I informed her that I was travelling out on vacation and to also attend to my eye treatment in the USA, she requested for my account details and she gave me N2,000,000.00 (Two Million Naira). It was benevolence from her. She is not even a lawyer neither does she have any case before me. She also gave me assistance in 2013 upon the death of my mother. HEMISPHERE PHARMACEUTICALS LTD. The payment of N100,000 (One Hundred Thousand Naira) by Hemisphere Pharmaceuticals Ltd to my recollection was made by my court for medical necessities. The said payment was made through Hemisphere Pharmaceuticals Ltd. VIGLACERA NIG. LTD The payments made by Viglacera Nig. Ltd was made by two of my long time acquaintances by name ChukeOkafor who gave me N250,000 and a common friend Dr. Emmanuel NnamdiUbah also gave me N500,000 (Five Hundred Thousand Naira) through the same company. This was during the period of my bereavement. I have known them since my days as a lecturer at the University. They are not lawyers. CRESCENT ENVIRONMENTAL SERVICES LTD, In relation to Crescent Environmental Services Ltd, there was a time a truck vehicle bit my car and badly damaged same. The driver of the truck who was at fault called the company’s office. The car was taken to an auto workshop and the damage assessed at N1,400,000 (One Million, four Hundred Thousand Naira) they pleaded to pay N1,000,000 (One Million Naira). The company paid the /41,000,000 (One Million Naira) into my account which I added up to effect repair of my damaged car. I do not evert know the owner of the said company. In conclusion I appeal to you to disregard this petition which is nothing but a mockery of my efforts and dedication and sacrifices in the services of the nation through my contributions as a judge of the National Industrial Court. The people who made gifts to me did so at a time when I was in need. They did so at a time when I needed help. They should not be condemned for their charity neither should I be condemned because I happened to be in need. Many of those who assisted me are not members of the legal profession and had no cases pending in my court. Those of them who are lawyers received no favours from me. On the contrary, those whose chambers happened to have cases pending in my court lost all those cases. I did not even know that they had cases pending in my court because not a single one of them appeared before me or discussed their matters with me. Even those who appeared never discussed their matters with me. In a situation such as this, my accusers ought to be able to point at a single judgment which is considered to be perverse and which has come under suspicion on the ground that the beneficiary of the judgment has done me a favour. But that is not the case. My bereavement should not become the occasion for the kind of mockery now directed at me. I humbly and respectfully appeal to you to dismiss this petition as baseless. No person has complained or petitioned against me to the EFCC or any law enforcement agency. I submit therefore that there is not any single petition against me on the basis of which the EFCC has submitted the complaint to you. Yours very sincerely, Hon. Justice J. T. Agbadu-Fishim Click To Download A Copy Here]]>