- The Kano State Government calls on security agencies to investigate the bribery allegation and bring those known for corruption to justice
- Justice Azinge raises alarm about senior lawyers attempting to bribe judges within her team, expressing concern about corruption attempts affecting the integrity of the system
The All Progressives Congress has cautioned the Kano State administration of the New Nigeria People’s Party, advising them to refrain from causing embarrassment to Justice Flora Azinge, the Chairperson of the National and State Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal.
This warning comes in light of allegations involving a purported N10 million bribe offered to her legal team. The statement conveying this message was released on Thursday by Malam Muhammad Garba, the spokesperson for the Gawuna-Gari Campaign Council.
Simultaneously, the Kano State Government has urged law enforcement agencies to thoroughly investigate the accusation and apprehend those influential individuals who are notorious for engaging in corrupt practices.
Justice Azinge has raised concerns over senior lawyers attempting to influence the judges within her team with bribery. Azinge expressed worry that this incident marks the second occasion on which a judge has reported attempts by certain lawyers handling election-related cases to undermine the integrity of the system by offering bribes to her colleagues.
She stated in the open court on Tuesday that, “money is flying”, adding that “it’s being rumoured that a staff collected N10 million.”
Shortly after the revelation, the Kano State government released a report that some “strong forces who are well-known for their corrupt attitude are working tirelessly to scuttle the hard-earned mandate of the people of Kano State”.
The statement signed by State Commissioner for Information, Baba Halilu Dantiye, further said the NNPP government viewed the incident as a litmus test for the present administration to ensure that the case was thoroughly investigated and the culprits prosecuted.
“The anti-corruption agencies are equally expected to swing into action, especially when this type of allegation was made in open court by a respected Judge,” he said.
Reacting, Garba, who was the immediate past commissioner for Information and a Chief of Staff to the APC National Chairman, Dr Abdullahi Ganduje, stated that the statement was a subtle attempt to denigrate the APC and the court.
He further alleged that the deliberate attempt to malign the tribunal chairman could have been spurred out of fear that the Kano government may not secure a favourable judgment.
Continuing, Garba observed that while the APC had presented all its witnesses during the proceedings of the tribunal, the NNPP government has failed to present any to defend its case.
According to him, the action of the Kano state government was nothing but gimmick and an attempt to disparage the APC.
While reaffirming its commitment to patiently continue seeking legal redress in the case, the ruling party expressed confidence that it will eventually reclaim its ‘stolen’ mandate in Kano.