N50m bribe allegation: Judge refuses to continue case against Akala

Posted by admin Oyo, State News Monday, February 21st, 2011

THE bribery allegation leveled against the Presiding Judge, Justice Jonathan Shakarho who vacated a restraining order against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, from recognizing Governor Adebayo Alao-Akala as the nominated candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Oyo State. has excused himself form handling the case.

Justice Shakarho of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, at the sitting of the court yesterday, said he found it difficult to continue the case with the grievous allegation. He then adjourned the case sine die.

One of the plaintiffs in the case, Mr Yekini Atoyebi had petitioned the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Alloysius Katsina-Alu and Nigeria Judicial Commission, NJC that N50 million led to the vacation of the order.

Though, the judge dismissed the allegation as frivolous and purposely intended to malign his name, he said he could not continue until the allegation was investigated as requested by the plaintiff who he described as nominal in the case.

All pleas by Mr. Akinyele Sanyaolu from the Chambers of Mr. Rotimi Akeredolu, SAN, the counsel to the 37 plaintiffs to make him continue with the case were rebuffed by the judge who said, ‘the matter raised by the 35th plaintiff borders on bribery allegation and bias.’’

Quoting part of the petition that possibility of getting justice was remote as a result of the alleged bribe, he said he could not close his eyes to such a ‘grievous’ allegation.

He requested another judge from Lagos or Abuja to handle the matter adding that he could be queried if he went ahead with the case.

Mr. Lateef Fagbemi(SAN), counsel to the state Chairman of PDP , dismissing the allegation said “even if our Lord comes down from heaven and sits where you are sitting My Lord, some would still fault him and describe him as biased.”

He spoke further that the plaintiff did not complain when the same judge gave them an order restraining the electoral body and the governor.

-Vanguardwp_posts