Justice Flora Azinge, the head of the Kano State National and State Houses of Assembly Election Petition Tribunal, has expressed strong disapproval regarding a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) attempt to bribe her.
Justice Azinge on Tuesday openly shared her concerns during court proceedings in Kano.
She voiced her disappointment in the unethical behaviour displayed by senior lawyers, particularly in their attempts to offer bribes.
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The Kano tribunal head did not reveal the specific identity of the senior lawyer, but she indicated that the said SAN had a pending case before the tribunal.
She opined that “A Senior Advocate of Nigeria who has a pending case before me is attempting to bribe me. Money has been entering this tribunal since yesterday”.
She warned that “Whoever accepts money on my behalf, God will punish that person and their descendants for four generations.”
She also addressed the ongoing criticism faced by judges. “They persist in criticising judges, insulting us every day in newspapers and the media, making claims that we are corrupt.
“I want to reiterate once more that no one should approach me with money. I am content with what God has provided for me, and I have a place to live,” she added.
However, Eyitayo Fatogun, SAN, who was physically present in court for an unrelated matter, spoke on behalf of all lawyers in attendance. He urged the judge to escalate the issue to the appropriate authorities.
Supporting his argument, the senior counsel cited instances where judges who failed to report such incidents were found to have engaged in judicial misconduct.
