Former Adamawa North senator, Elisha Abbo has been issued with an ultimatum to establish his bribery allegations against the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban- Mensem, or be prepared to face court action.
In the alternative, Abbo was directed to apologize to the
Appeal Court President, Justice Chioma Iheme, and the entire judiciary, over
his bribery allegations against them.
A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, and former Attorney
General of Akwa Ibom State, Uwemedimo Nwoko insisted that the former senator
must either be prepared for court action to establish his bribery allegations
or tender apologies for making unsubstantiated allegations.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Court of Appeal
President and others accused of taking bribes in the discharge of their
judicial duties, Nwokeoma, who is also a life bencher, noted that the former
lawmaker has not produced any evidence to substantiate his allegations of
bribery against the judiciary.
On 1st February, Abbo at a press conference, accused the
President of the Court of Appeal and others of taking bribes in the judgment
that ousted him from the Senate.
But Nwokeoma, in a statement in reaction to the bribery
allegations, said that the judiciary and its officers cannot be intimidated or
subjected to any form of criminal blackmail.
Parts of the statement read: “On the 1st February, 2024,
Senator Elisha Abbo, in a widely publicised Press Conference, made very wild
and unsubstantiated allegations against the President of the Court of Appeal,
the Honourable Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the Honourable Justice Chioma
Iheme Nwosu (A Justice of the Supreme Court designate) and Honourable Judges of
the various Tribunals and Courts as well as Justices of the Court of Appeal.
“Senator Abbo in his reckless and unconscionable Press
Briefing described the President of the Court of Appeal as a cash-and-carry
Judge. He alleged that Judges now send their children and agents to go around
asking for bribes.
“It is instructive to note at this stage that uptill this
moment Senator Abbo has not produced any iota of evidence to substantiate his
weighty allegations.
“We take very strong exceptions to the criminal blackmail
deliberately fabricated and calculated to impugn on the integrity and
reputation of our revered and hardworking Judges and Justices by characters
like Senator Abbo.
“May I remind Senator Abbo that when he lost the case that
removed him from the Senate, he openly accused the Senate President,
Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON of being the architect of his
misfortune.
“When he was confronted with the task to prove the
allegation, he promptly went on his knees and apologised profusely to Senator
Akpabio and retracted the allegations.
“It is sad and most unfortunate that this Senator who shot
into the limelight on account of his misconduct in a Sex Toy Shop in Abuja
would have the criminal courage and effrontery to malign, denigrade and make
such invidious imputations against our Justices and judiciary simply because he
lost a case.
“I wish to state most categorically that it is totally
unacceptable, morally reprehensible and legally culpable for a person with
Senator Abbo’s moral credentials and profound deficits in character content to
embark on such character assassination against our Justices who have
sacrificially built their good reputations over the years.
“This brand of nonsense and unprovoked attacks against our
Judicial Officers and the Judiciary must stop.
“I challenge Senator Abbo to promptly produce verifiable
evidence to substantiate his allegations or be ready to face the consequences
in law.”
Advertise on NigerianEye.com to reach thousands of our daily users
No comments
Post a Comment
Kindly drop a comment below.
(Comments are moderated. Clean comments will be approved immediately)
Advert Enquires - Reach out to us at NigerianEye@gmail.com