KANO, Nigeria – A bombshell allegation from Kano Election Petition Tribunal Chairman, Judge Flora Azinge, has set off a firestorm in Nigeria’s legal community.
Azinge has accused a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) of trying to bribe her with a staggering N10 billion to influence a pending case.
“A Senior Advocate of Nigeria who has a pending case before me is attempting to bribe me. Money has been flying in this tribunal since yesterday,” Azinge declared in an explosive court session on Tuesday, August 15, 2023. “Whoever collects money on my behalf, God will punish that person and his generation yet unborn – to the fourth generation.”
The visibly upset judge took aim at widespread perceptions of corruption, stating, “They keep abusing judges, insulting us every day in the papers, in the media – that we are taking bribes. Let me repeat again that nobody should approach me with money again. I’m contented with what God has given me, and I have a roof over my head.”
Azinge later provided clarity on her initial comments, adding, “What I said was that there is an allegation that money is transferred to the account of an orderly of one of us and a tribunal staff by a lawyer. The said staff is currently under investigation on this matter.”
The Nigerian Bar Association Section on Public Interest and Development Law (NBA-SPIDEL) has acted swiftly, urging Azinge to identify the alleged briber and forming a three-member panel to probe the stunning claims.
They’ve been tasked with delivering their findings within ten days.
John Aikpokpo-Martins, NBA-SPIDEL Chairman, in tandem with Secretary Funmi Adeogun, issued a statement on Friday, August 18, 2023, strongly denouncing such “shameless characters” who purportedly attempt to corrupt justice.
“SPIDEL commends [Azinge] for voicing out the fact that attempts have been made by a Senior Advocate to bribe and by extension compromise the tribunal,” their joint statement read.
Highlighting the seriousness of the allegation, the statement furthered, “It must be stated that attempts to bribe Judges and pervert justice are not only criminal in nature but also amounts to infractions of the Rules of Professional Conduct.”
As the investigation commences, Nigeria’s legal world waits with bated breath for what might be one of the most significant moments in its recent history.
Whether the allegations are proven true or false, they underscore the need for continuous vigilance in maintaining the integrity of the judicial system.
