The Wig and the Law
Justice Flora Azinge, the chair of the Kano State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, has expressed her outrage over a Senior Advocate of Nigeria’s (SAN) attempt to bribe her, according to a report by Daily Nigerian.
Speaking openly in court before the proceedings on Tuesday in Kano, the judge lamented the unethical conduct of senior lawyers, particularly in attempts to bribe.
While Justice Azinge did not reveal the identity of the senior lawyer, she indicated that the SAN in question had a pending case before the tribunal.
“A Senior Advocate of Nigeria who has a pending case before me is attempting to bribe me. Money has been flowing into this tribunal since yesterday. Whoever accepts money on my behalf, God will punish that person and their descendants up to the fourth generation.”
“They continue to vilify judges, insulting us every day in the newspapers, in the media, claiming that we are corrupt.”
“Let me reiterate once again that no one should approach me with money. I am content with what God has provided for me, and I have a roof over my head,” she stated.
However, Eyitayo Fatogun, SAN, who was present in court for a separate matter, stood up on behalf of all lawyers present and urged the judge to escalate the matter to the appropriate authorities.
Supporting his argument, the senior counsel pointed out cases where judges failing to report such incidents were cited for judicial misconduct.
