Kano Tribunal Chairman Backtracks On Senior Lawyers’ Bribery Attempt

The Chairman of Kano State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, Justice Flora Azinge has shed more light into the attempt by Senior Lawyers to bribe her.

Justice Azinge stated this after her attention was drawn to the matter by Sunusi Musa, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria.

It would be recalled that an online medium has reported how senior lawyers were attempting to bribe the Judge and some tribunal staff.

It was reported that she did not disclose the identity of the senior lawyer, but said the SAN in question who has a ‘pending case’ before the tribunal.

Musa, counsel to Member, House of Representatives, Gwarzo/Kabo Federal Constituency, counsel in a case between Nasiru Sule Garo of New Nigeria Peoples Party, and Abdullahi Muazu Gwarzo, member representing Kabo/Gwarzo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives.

He told the Judge that a news was on the media that a senior lawyer SAN was attempting to bribe her which he felt so touched and disturbed as a Senior Lawyer concerned.

“My Lord, a news was all over the media that a senior lawyer with case before you was attempting to bribe you.

As a Senior Advocate of Nigeria with a case before this Honorable Tribunal, I deem it necessary to urge my Lord to name the SAN.

We are five Senior Advocates with cases before My Lord, for clarification and the interest of our reputation, My Lord should identify this lawyer”.

In her response, Justice Azinge told Musa that she was misunderstood.

“I didn’t say that Counsel, what I said was that there is allegation that money is transferred to the account of orderly of one of us and a tribunal staff by a lawyer.

The said staff is currently under investigation on this matter.

A lawyer has attempted to bring meat for me during Eidl Kabir celebration which I declined and cautioned him that it is unethical.

I’m here to serve with integrity and patriotism and will not give way for corrupt practice. Justice is what I’m here for.” She said