By Austin Ogwuda
Threat to life: Why Ngozi Okolie, Ned Nwoko, Sheriff Oborevwori, Kano Gov, IGP, Bola Tinubu must ensure Justice Flora Azinge is safe
The disturbing news coming from Kano, Northern Nigeria regarding the trending videos on social media platforms over death threat on Judges presently handling election petitions in Kano, Kano State is definitely not something to be swept under the carpet or to be treated with kid gloves.
Recall that sometime last month, precisely 16th of August 2023, National/State Houses of Assembly Election Petitions Tribunal headed by Justice Flora Azinge did raise alarm about a deft move to bribe her and other members of the Tribunal with a view to pervert the cause of justice.
This very no-nonsense, audacious Judge, who incidentally is the daughter of former Premier of the defunct Midwest region, late Chief Dennis Osadebay didn’t hide such disgraceful overtures.
As the panel after the customary practice of taking a bow immediately upon arrival from their Chambers into the court room, broke the shocking news that day which was equally widely reported in the media, including The Town Hall Media.
Hear her : “a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) who has a pending case before me is attempting to bribe me.
“Money has been flying in this Tribunal since yesterday. Whoever collects money on my behalf, God will punish that person and his generation yet unborn — to the fourth generation.
“They keep abusing judges, insulting us everyday in the papers, in the media — that we are taking bribe. Let me repeat again that nobody should approach me”, she sternly warned.
Only last week precisely, 10th of September 2023, Justice Azinge-led Panel nullified the election of one Yusuf Umar Datti, the New Nigeria Peoples Party candidate for the Kura/Madobi/Garun Malam Federal Constituency.
The Tribunal voided Yusuf’s election over his failure to resign from his lecturing job at Bayero University, Kano, within 30 days before the election.
Unfolding drama in Kano took another dangerous situation when two top officials of Kano State government brazenly threatened the Judges handling election petitions in the State.
They warned them to choose taking bribe and do their ‘bidding’ or lose their lives in that vituperative notice.
The threat notice went viral.This followed a quick reaction from the State government, washing off its hands completely from the threat.
In the disclaimer, the Kano State Government categorically stated that videos trending on social media platforms featuring the State Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Alh. Adamu Aliyu Kibiya making threatening statements on Judges of the Tribunal, while that of the Special Adviser on Youth and Sport, Alh Yusuf Imam making unguarded and disrespectful statements on His Excellency Alh Kashim Shettima GCON, the Vice President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, were on their own.
According to the press statement issued Friday, in Kano by the Kano State Commissioner for Information, Halilu Dantiye stated that it condemned the unfortunate threat to the Judges and the disrespect shown to the VP.
“We wish to make it categorically clear that the views expressed do not represent the official position of the State Government under the leadership of His Excellency Alh Abba Kabir Yusuf, the state governor.
“It is important to emphasise that neither of the two officials have any clearance to speak on behalf of government and none of them serves as official spokesperson of the government.
“Kano State Government under HE Abba Kabir Yusuf holds the Judiciary in very high esteem and expresses tremendous amount of respect to justices and all judicial officers.
“Beside the good understanding between the government and people of Kano State and Vice President Kashim Shettima, the Kano State Governor HE Alh. Abba Kabir Yusuf deeply respects the person and office of the Vice President His Excellency Alh. Kashim Shettima GCON and will not condone any iota of disrespect on the Vice President or any other Nigerian leader.
“For these reasons, the Governor of Kano State has relieved the two officials of their appointment with immediate effect : Commissioner of Land and Physical Planning, Alh Adamu A. Kibiya, and the Special Adviser on Youth and Sport, Alh Yusuf Imam”.
The state government also directed that, henceforth, “no official of government should speak on any matter outside the purview of their MDAs without express clearance and permission as unguarded and inflammatory statements will not be condoned.
“The Ministry of Information is directed to ensure that all media outlets in the State especially radio stations are complying with the extant guidelines provided by regulatory agencies.
“While expressing our faith in the judicial process, believing very strongly that justice will prevail at all the levels of judicial processes the Kano State Government wishes to call on all residents in the State to remain law-abiding and continue to go about their normal businesses without any hindrances”, the statement added.
Well, The Town Hall Media believes that the sacking of the Commissioner and the Special Adviser is not enough.It could just be a mere smokescreen.That is why it is important to call on the President of this country, Senator Bola Tinubu to order an immediate inquiry into the Kano bribe scandal cum emerging death threat to the Tribunal Judges in that State immediately.
In a sane clime security agents would have since arrested these two high ranking government officials for questioning.The level of impunity in this country is unimaginable.
Justice Flora Azinge has the father’s gene running in her veins, following the footsteps of her late father (Dennis Osadebay) who lived a simple life devoid of ostentatious and corrupt soiled hands.
The Tribunal should not be intimidated or coerced by any means whatsoever.
Justice Flora Azinge hails from Asaba, Delta State; therefore lawmakers from Delta State especially, both in the Green and Red Chambers should take up this matter. The governor of Delta State, stakeholders, Civil Society groups, the mass media should not look away too.
The Time is NOW!
Also, other Judges apart from Justice Flora Azinge hearing election petitions in Kano should be given maximum protection and be allowed unhindered access to serve justice and save the Judiciary from the weaning faith and hope of millions of Nigerians.
Can the fellows who issued death threat on the Judges be left without arrest and subsequent prosecution is left to test the integrity of government and security agents, who ordinarily, shouldn’t wait for body language or direct order from oga above before doing their Constitutional assigned job.
We are watching, the international community watches also.
