US reports reveal renowned attorney Afe Babalola‘s alleged bribery scandal involving five Court of Appeal judges and $1.125 million, purportedly to influence judgement in favour of the then Adamawa Governor Boni Haruna.
According to the leaked US documents, Babalola is said to have paid $225,000 to each member of a panel of appellate judges, chaired by Justice Pius Olayiwola Aderemi, to reinstate Haruna after a tribunal had previously dismissed him on grounds of electoral misconduct.
“According to an attorney for Haruna, the outcome was ensured in typical Nigerian fashion: with cash,” stated the leaked U.S. government cable. “The attorney, who works for Presidential Attorney Afe Babalola, said that when President Obasanjo sent Babalola to take over the appeal, he also sent cash to be used for the appeal.”
The information, released by the international transparency group Wikileaks, comes from a high-ranking lawyer who accompanied Babalola in delivering large amounts of untraceable cash to the judges.
Babalola, now 95, was known for his success rate in cases during his governing years, earning him recognition amongst several high-profile figures in the country, including past Nigerian President Olusegun Obasanjo.
Though the attorney’s reputation might be questioned now, Babalola strongly denied allegations of judgement bribery.
However, the US witnesses’ accounts about the case have raised doubts and suspicions, especially considering the vast difference in rulings between the tribunal and the Court of Appeal.
One of the first governors to face corruption charges after his term ended in 2008, Haruna was also implicated in this bribery scandal.
Despite attempts by Babalola to clarify, no comments were made regarding the content of the classified US cable.
Dele Farotimi, a rights lawyer, had previously accused Babalola of corruption in his book, leading to a spike in its sales after an arrest over a defamation allegation.
Public dissatisfaction grew when Babalola, instead of addressing the allegation in court, resorted to oppressive methods against Farotimi.
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The scandal has stirred up public debate, with followers of Babalola urging Farotimi to retract his statements and apologise, while Farotimi’s supporters express hope for him to stand his ground, considering the adversity he’s experienced.
Culled from: LINK
