SQUIB COVER STORY
SERVING JUDGE INDICTS RETIRED JUDGE IN LAGOS STATE
That there is corruption in the Nigerian judiciary is not in doubt, although most operators in the judiciary sector tend to hush up on it. Worse, they like to pretend it does not exist, ostensibly in a bid to “protect the integrity of the courts of law.”
The sad, ugly truth is that there are many corrupt judges and magistrates and even more corrupt number of lawyers – characters who believe in and practice the perversion of justice for selfish reasons.
The corrupt perversion of justice usually takes the form of presenting financial inducements and other forms of gratification to holders of judicial office either directly by litigants or via their counsel.
In some instances, the initiators of the corrupt practices are judicial officers. Such bent judges and magistrates often use their staff or other trusted side kicks to invite litigants into ‘profitable dalliance’ with them {judges}.
Corrupt interactions in the judiciary, especially between judges and litigants are usually conducted discreetly and covertly, thus it is often difficult to establish direct and clear proof of the illegal and criminal acts.
Information reaching the Squib indicates that a new class of corruption merchants and promoters has emerged in the Lagos Judiciary. Members of this class mostly comprise of certain retired judges and old non – practicing lawyers who it is said, maintain networks and alliances among themselves and have access to many judges in Lagos State. Members of this class parade and tout themselves to interested ‘clients’ as the movers and shakers of the Lagos State Judiciary or the powers behind the thrones of many judges including that of the incumbent Chief Judge, Augustus Adetula Alabi J.
A member of this notorious Club of Judicial corruption merchants, is believed to be a former Lagos High Court Judge admired and reviled at the same time for his eccentric behaviour and crass comments in his days as a judge.
According to a top flight gecko with impeccable records, the said retired judge once approached the incumbent Chief Judge of Lagos State, Augustus Adetula Alabi J. with a proposal to favour certain persons standing trial in a high profile criminal case before him. Alabi J. {as he then was} not only rejected the overture with an admonition: “Egbon but you retired peacefully, let me do the same when my time comes. I have nothing to do with the money you are offering me”but went ahead to report the incident to the then Chief Judge Christopher Segun J. The Chief judge reported asked Alabi J. {as he then was} to keep mum on the matter but to continue doing his work without yielding to pressure. Alabi J. took the advice.
Keen observers of the Lagos State judiciary are now wondering whether another retired judge in the State – Eniola Folorunso Longe, is a member of the afore-mentioned club – Judicial Corruption Merchants and Promoters,{ JCMP} Lagos State branch or not.
This question becomes compelling in the light of a shocking disclosure made on the 17th October 2007 by Honourable Justice Leslie Alaba Marsh, the administrative Judge of the Ikeja High Court while hearing a particular suit ID/363m/2007 {a landed property dispute}. Geckos were rather astonished to hear Honourable Justice Marsh accused one of the counsel in the matter, one Barrister Abel Osuji of “bringing a retired judge of the Lagos State Judiciary, specifically Justice Longe to my chambers to lobby me to set aside a ruling I have given in this case.”
Geckos who witnessed the disclosure told somewhat differing stories about Barrister Abel Osuji’s reaction to Justice Marsh’s revelation. According to one gecko who admitted bias against Osuji’s interest, the Barrister apologised to the judge over the incident and admitted that Justice Longe is a consultant to his {Osuji’s} legal firm. But, another gecko reported that Barrister Osuji vigorously denied ever seeing or meeting with Justice Marsh in chambers in company of Justice Longe or anybody else although he too admitted that Justice Longe is a consultant to his firm.
From all that transpired in Justice Marsh’s court on the 17th of October 2007, it appears and reasonably so too, that Longe J. stands accused and exposed as one of those who clandestinely and corruptly too intervene with the administration of Justice in Lagos State.
We challenge Honourable Justice Longe {retired} within a reasonable time of this publication to debunk Justice Marsh’s allegation or keep his peace and forever be known and tarred as a member and chieftain of the JCMP club.
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