Politics
Kano Tribunal Hit By N10M Bribery Allegation
The Chairperson of Panel 2 of the Election Petition Tribunal in Kano, Justice Azinge, expressed concern on Tuesday, revealing that certain lawyers were trying to influence judges in her team through bribery.
According to her this marked the second instance where a judge complained about lawyers attempting to corrupt the legal process by offering bribes to her and her colleagues.
She mentioned in court that there were rumors of money changing hands, including an alleged incident where a staff member reportedly received N10 million.
However, she didn’t clarify if the staff member involved was from her court or a different one.
Justice Azinge issued a warning that she would not tolerate any further efforts to undermine justice by means of corruption.
“In recent years, allegations of lawyers bribing judges cast shadows over Nigeria’s judicial system, a complex issue that is threatening to erode the public’s trust in the pursuit of justice.”
“While it is important to acknowledge that not all lawyers engage in unethical practices, the spectre of judicial corruption remains a concerning challenge that the Nigerian legal community must confront head-on.”
BIZTELLERS reports that the issue of lawyers bribing judges underscores the complex interplay of power, ethics, and accountability in the Nigerian legal sphere.
“Corruption within the judicial system strikes at the core of fairness and unbiased legal proceedings, eroding the fundamental values on which justice stands. The repercussions are extensive, impacting individuals, communities, and the overall credibility of the legal framework.”
Instances of lawyers trying to manipulate court outcomes through illegitimate channels emphasize the urgency for comprehensive reforms.
The Nigerian legal community must engage in self-reflection and self-regulation to uncover and tackle the underlying factors that might encourage unethical conduct.
Maintaining transparency, ensuring accountability, and dedicating themselves to upholding the rule of law are crucial elements in dismantling the culture of corruption. This culture poses a risk to the credibility of the justice system.
“Efforts to combat judicial corruption should involve not only legal professionals but also civil society organisations, academia, and governmental bodies.
“Strengthening mechanisms for reporting and addressing allegations of corruption, ensuring the independence of the judiciary, and enhancing ethical training for lawyers are crucial steps in creating a more robust and trustworthy legal ecosystem.”
When asked for his response regarding the allegation of lawyers attempting to bribe Election Petition Tribunal judges, the Chairman of the Kano State Nigeria Bar Association, S. S. Gezawa, mentioned that he came across the news on an online newspaper.
The report stated that Justice Azinge, Chairperson of the Kano EPT, alleged that certain lawyers were trying to bribe judges.
He also mentioned that there were rumors suggesting that one of the court officials received a bribe of N10 million.
“I’ll say, it is what it is, it is an allegation, if any member of the EPT or my Lord, the Chairperson of the panel, Justice Azinge, has any allegation or proof of evidence of such, it can be formalised, a complaint can be channelled to the NBA or to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for necessary action against the erring lawyer”
“We should also remember that lawyers are not immune to prosecution.”
In response, the NBA leader contended that if there is substantial evidence indicating misconduct by any lawyer, it should be reported to relevant security agencies like Anti-Corruption Agencies, the police, EFCC, or ICPC, in cases involving staff or public servants.
He emphasized, “So long as it has not been formalised, we will see, as my lord said, it is rumours and allegations, that is what it is”
The Executive Governors from Nigeria’s South West have unanimously nominated Senator Ademola Adeleke as the chairman of the zone on the National Economic Council (NEC).
Adeleke is the Executive Governor of Osun State, southwest, Nigeria.
This, according to the Spokesperson to Governor Adeleke, Olawale Rasheed, transpired on Thursday, at a meeting of the NEC.
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He noted that the meeting reviewed the state of Nigeria’s electricity sector and resolved to engage subnational structures to address current challenges in the sector.
“The meeting particularly sought to build on the devolution of the electricity sector and its movement into the concurrent legislative list which empowers state governments to regulate the sector in their respective areas,” he stated.
Consequently, the NEC, therefore set up an ad hoc committee to review actions in the sector by state governments and explore ways to ramp up activities through coordination, Rasheed highlighted.
The full list of members of NEC’s Ad-hoc Committee on National Electrification:
- Governor of Cross Rivers State, Bassey Out – Chairman, South-South
- Governor of Katsina State, Mallam Dikko Umaru Radda – Chairman, North-West
- Governor of Gombe State, Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya – Chairman, North-East
- Governor of Osun State, Senator Ademola Adeleke – Chairman, South-West
- Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma – Chairman, South-East
- Governor of Plateau State, Barr. Caleb Mutfwang – Chairman, North-Central
- Hon. Minister of Finance, Wale Edun
- Hon. Minister of Budget and National Planning, Atiku Bagudu
- Special Adviser, NEC and Climate Change, Rukaiya El-Rufai
- Special Adviser, Power Minister, Hon. Bolaji Tunji
- MD/CEO Rural Electrification Agency, Abba Aliyu
- MD/CEO Niger Delta Power Holding Company, Jennifer Adighije
- Chairman, Nigeria Governors Forum, AbdulRahman AbdulRazak
- NEC Secretariat
The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) has announced its decision to back Northern candidates in the 2027 general elections, citing the urgent need to address the worsening socio-economic and security challenges facing the region.
In a communique issued after its National Executive Council meeting in Kaduna on Wednesday, the forum expressed deep concern over the economic state of Northern Nigeria under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration, attributing the region’s struggles to flawed governance and poor policy decisions.
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The ACF criticized the Federal Government’s economic policies, describing them as detrimental to the livelihoods of Northern citizens.
According to the communique, signed by the forum’s National Publicity Secretary, Professor Tukur Muhammad-Baba, the policies have compounded the already dire economic conditions in the region.
The statement reads, “Arewa people remain at a great disadvantage, being already worse off economically compared to other parts of Nigeria. While economic reforms are indeed desirable, they should not impoverish the same people they are meant to serve. Policies must have a human face.”
The forum noted that the North faces chronic food insecurity, limited educational and vocational opportunities for youth, and a heavy reliance on small-scale economic activities.
“Livelihoods are currently dependent on micro activities. The region faces acute and chronic food insecurity; its youths lack education and skills training. Daunting as these may be, they can be reversed. The time to think big is now,” the communique emphasized.
The ACF also addressed the pervasive insecurity in the North, warning that the situation has begun to erode public confidence in the government.
“Security is an irreducible minimum of human existence. In this regard, insecurity in its various manifestations remains the most worrisome challenge of Arewa people, that has even started to corrosively undermine the authority of government,” the forum stated.
It condemned the government’s response to the crisis, arguing that the Federal Government has failed to meet its primary duty of safeguarding lives and property.
“That those whose responsibility it is to provide security will be saying they are doing their best is unacceptable,” the communique said. “The minimum duty of government is to safeguard life and property, and doing anything less is a failure.”
The ACF faulted what it described as the “flawed leadership selection process” under the Tinubu administration, claiming it has elevated individuals without the requisite competence or experience to key positions.
It urged the Federal Government to “review, reassess, reevaluate, and re-order the direction of its economic policies with a view to giving it the needed human face.”
Looking ahead to the next general elections, the ACF pledged its support for Northern politicians who demonstrate a clear commitment to addressing the region’s challenges and fostering national development.
“Notwithstanding the parlous state of Arewa’s glaring economic conditions, the policies of the current Federal Government have continued to make matters much worse,” the communique stated.
The National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Abdullahi Ganduje, has urged Ondo State Governor Lucky Aiyedatiwa to prioritize completing ongoing projects and avoid leaving any abandoned during his second term in office.
Ganduje made the call on Wednesday at the APC’s national secretariat in Abuja after the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) presented Certificates of Return to Aiyedatiwa and his deputy, Adelami Olaide.
Governor Aiyedatiwa’s re-election was marked by a sweeping victory in all 18 local government areas of the state during last Saturday’s governorship election.
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Ganduje praised the outcome, describing it as a testament to the people’s confidence in the APC-led administration.
“I am happy about the landslide result. The election is not the effort of the elite and middle class alone; it is also through the effort of the grassroots,” Ganduje said. “Out of 203 wards, APC won 202, losing only one ward. This is a victory embraced by all.”
Ganduje highlighted the importance of continuity and urged the governor to leverage his experience from the previous administration led by the late Rotimi Akeredolu.
“As a deputy, you knew how projects were started by your late governor. You were part of it, also as a governor for 10 months, and now as a re-elected governor. For the next four years, you will continue,” he said.
“You know the terrains, geography, and physical landscape of all 18 local government areas. Use these insights to carve out projects that will improve the lives of the Ondo people.”
Meanwhile, Ondo APC Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, commended Ganduje’s leadership and strategic direction, which he credited for the party’s success in the election.
He also expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for his unwavering support for Aiyedatiwa’s candidacy, despite internal opposition from some party stakeholders.
“We have finally killed PDP in Ondo,” Adetimehin declared. “Most of the leaders of that party have defected to the APC. With the landslide victory in this election, it is clear to the whole world that there is no PDP in Ondo.”
He further described Ganduje as a mentor whose leadership had been instrumental in uniting the party and ensuring victory at the polls.
Governor Aiyedatiwa, who succeeded Akeredolu and completed his tenure before securing re-election, has pledged to focus on delivering on his mandate and completing critical projects in his second term.
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