Supreme Court Takes On Governor Buni Over Frivolous APC Petitions Against Justices
BY SEGUN ADEBAYO, ABUJA – Infuriated over his frivolous petitions against sitting Justices, a Justice of the Supreme Court on Tuesday slammed the Interim National Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State, describing his petition writing against three justices of the apex court as unwarranted and irresponsible.
The APC in the petition signed by its Acting National Chairman, Governor Mai Mala Buni accused Justices Mohammed Musa Dattijo, Abdu Aboki and Helen Morenikeji Ogunwumiju of holding nocturnal meeting with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to scheme out the party from the Imo Senate seat.
Justice Dattijo said; “Let me confirm to all Counsels in this matter that the Interim National Chairman of the All Progressive Congress (APC) had written a petition against me and two other Justices of this court, namely Helen Ogunwumiju and Abdu Aboki accusing us of having a meeting with members of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to subvert justice in the case
“That my humble self, led my two brothers to attend a meeting with members of the PDP to strategise on how to subvert the outcome of this case.”
“I must say that this is most unfortunate and my heart bleeds for this country. If people as highly placed as the Interim chairman of the APC would open his mouth and make this weighty statement against innocent Justices of this court, then I say my heart bleeds.
“We are not interested in any matter and I challenge him and the party to substantiate his allegation that my humble self, attended a meeting with members of the PDP with a view to subverting the interest of their party.
“This is a reckless and irresponsible statement. That is how these useless statements were made in the past and that is why we are not taking it likely.
“If they have honour, let them substantiate their allegations and I will not live a day longer in this court. So, this matter is adjourned sine die, and parties should approach the Chief Justice of Nigeria,“ Justice Dattijo said.
The APC Interim National Chairman’s petition against the three Justices of the Supreme Court is predicated on the imbroglio over the candidacy of the party in the December 5, 2020 Imo North Senatorial bye-election.
Buni, in the petition alleged that information at the disposal of the APC indicated that the three Justices of the Supreme Court met with the leadership of the PDP during which they perfected plans of giving the senatorial seat to the PDP candidate in the bye election.
But Justice Dattijo, who led a 5-man panel of Justices, said that the APC had by the petition called the integrity, reputation and honour of the three Justices to question and must be resolved first.
In his response, the Counsel to Senator Ifeanyi Ararume, who is a party to the suit, Malam Ahmed Raji SAN, expressed surprise and dissociated himself from the petition, saying that he was shocked to hear about the allegations made against the Justices.
Raji said; “This is very, very shocking. I swear with my last day in this court that I Ahmed Raji knows nothing about this issue and I condemn it with all the strength in me. I sympathise with your lordships and whatever measure your lordships deems appropriate, we are fully in support.”
In his own reaction, Counsel to the APC, Mr Umeh Kalu, said he just heard of the petition for the first time, saying; “I am taken aback by this. I have never in my life met with the interim chairman of the APC. In matters of this nature, we normally deal with the legal adviser. In the first place, PDP is not a party in this matter.”
