Following a N10 million bribery allegation that hit the National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal sitting in Kano, the Kano State Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA has called on the Tribunal to unmask and reveal the identity of lawyers involved in the act.
Nigeriacrime.com learned that the Presiding Judge of the Tribunal, Justice Flora Azinge was reportedly quoted to have raised alarm and accused lawyers of attempts to bribe the tribunal to compromise.
The NBA Chairman, Bar. Sagir Suleiman Gezawa while reacting to this allegation said the tribunal would do the umbrella body of lawyers honour if it revealed the identity of the lawyers, the evidence or facts to support the allegation.
Bar. Gezawa said the chapter has already written a letter to the tribunal seeking an audience to that effect and awaiting a response.
According to him, “It is what it is, an allegation. My Lord made the allegation in the open court that lawyers are trying to corrupt the system by giving bribes to members of her panel. She went further to say that it is rumoured that a staff of the tribunal collected the sum of N10 million. So I would say it is what it is, an allegation. If there is any concrete evidence or proof against any lawyer, there are so many institutions, processes and mechanisms to discipline lawyers. Internally, we have the Legal Practitioner Disciplinary Committee, if there is a petition to that effect, we will take it up.
“Secondly, lawyers are not immune to prosecution, if there is evidence complaint can be made to any of the Anti-Corruption agencies such as EFCC, ICPC or the police. And I assure you, the NBA will support the system.
“So, my Lord will do a great honour to us if my Lord will reveal the identity or the evidence or facts to support the allegation,” Gezawa stated.