Aishat Opesanwo, the presiding judge of a Lagos State High Court in Igbosere, says the 90-lawyer team paraded by Rickey Tarfa is tantamount to harassment of court.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had on Tuesday arraigned Rickey Tarfa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), on a two-count charge of alleged obstruction of justice and attempt to pervert justice.
Tarfa turned up in court with about 90-lawyers, a good number of them being senior advocates of Nigeria.
The act was condemned by Opesanwo, who described the approach as tantamount to “harassment and intimidation” of court.
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“I find no need for this magnitude of support. It is to harass and intimidate us on this side,” she said.
The anti-graft agency arrested the senior lawyer on February 5 for allegedly hiding two Beninese suspects.
The suspects were alleged to have fraudulently converted some equipment belonging to a manufacturing firm, Rana Prestige Nigeria Limited, for their own use.
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Tarfa pleaded not guilty to the charges levelled against him, requesting bail on self-recognition.
“The accused has over 60 lawyers in his chambers, four law chambers in the country and other affliated law offices outside Nigeria,” Adeniyi Akintola, Tarfa’s lawyer said, assuring the court that his client would not jump bail.
Tarfa was granted bail at the hearing and the case has been adjourned until March.
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2 comments
If 90 or so SANs actually followed their colleague Rickey Tarfa to court, it must be more than mere solidarity; they must have been fully been convinced that he is not guilty. But if, on the other hand, he is in the end pronounced guilty, by the court, then I think it is shame on all of them.
Do they have shame? For money our so called lawyers will argue that Satan is Jesus.