The arrests of judges in Nigeria about a fortnight ago have opened a can of worm on one of President Muhammadu Buhari’s ‘holy’ ministers. Justice Sylvester Ngwuta and Justice Iyang Okoro of the Supreme Court have reportedly accused the Minister of Transportation, Rotimi Amaechi of trying to bribe and induce them some time ago in order to deliver judgements in his and APC’s favour.
This adds to previous accusations against Amaechi that have not been investigated by relevant authorities. Questions are being asked whether or not this new allegation will go uninvestigated by the federal government like the previous ones.
In a letter addressed to the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, last week, Justice Ngwuta accused Amaechi of trying to coerce him and other justices over the Ekiti and Rivers states’ election cases before the Supreme Court.
“My present plight started sometime between 2013 and 2014. I represented the then Chief Justice of Nigeria in an event organised by the International Conference Centre. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi came in late and sat next to me at the high table. He introduced himself to me and we exchanged contacts. A few weeks after, Fayose’s case was determined in the Court of Appeal. Amaechi called me by 6.45 am. He said he had come to see me but was told I had left for my office. When he said he would return in the evening, I demanded to know what he wanted but he would not tell me. He did not come that evening but came the following morning when I was already prepared to go to work. He begged me to ensure that Fayose’s election was set aside and another election ordered for his friend Fayemi to contest. I told him I would not help him and that even if I am on the panel I have only my one vote.
“After the Rivers State Governorship election was determined by the Court of Appeal, he called to tell me his ears were full and he would like to tell me what he heard. I told him I was out of Abuja at the time. On my return, he came in the evening and even before he sat down he barked “You have seen Wike”. I asked him whether that was a question or a statement. Then he made a call and asked me to speak with someone. The man he called said he was a DSS man. We exchanged greetings and I handed the phone to him. Next, he said, “Oga is not happy”. I asked him who is the unhappy “Oga” and he answered “Buhari”. I retorted “go and talk to his wife”. He got very angry and left, remarking “we shall see” several times.
“Your Lordship may recall one morning when I pleaded not to be on the Panel for Rivers Appeal. Your Lordship said I was already on the Panel and asked me to explain why I made the request to be excluded. When I explained what transpired the previous night, Your Lordship told me Amaechi had also attempted to influence other Justices. My Lord, on the day we heard the appeal with your Lordship presiding, we were allowed lunch break at 4.20 pm. The moment I got into my Chambers, he, Amaechi, called. When he told who was calling, I said to him, “Your Excellency, you want to issue more threats”? He replied, “Have you been threatened before?” I replied “I know a threat when I hear one even if veiled. In any case, I will not talk to you” and I switched off my phone,” Ngwuta’s letter read.
In a similar manner, Justice Okoro wrote to the NJC after his arrest by the Department of State Services (DSS). Okoro accused Amaechi of pleading with him (Justice Okoro) to help influence the outcome of the governorship election cases involving Rivers, Akwa Ibom and Abia states. The justice said the minister had visited him and begged him to rule in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
This is the second major allegation against Rotimi Amaechi since he was appointed a minister. Late last year, the Rivers State Judicial Commission of Inquiry, set up to investigate the sale of state assets by the state government implicated Amaechi. The panel stated that Amaechi and some other politicians who served with him while he was the governor of the state should refund over N97 billion allegedly misappropriated in the sale of the state valued assets.
The report of the Rivers state government’s inquiry didn’t catch the interest of President Buhari who later said his ministers are not corrupt. Even in the face of heavy accusations, the president has failed to order an investigation to know whether or not Amaechi was indeed guilty. The president sees these reports as “orchestrated attempts” to soil the credibility of his ministers and aides.
The latest allegations levelled against Amaechi by the Supreme Court justices are grave and serious. In fact, they are crucial and have to be investigated in order to determine its truthfulness, if the Nigerian Judiciary has to be cleansed. In the first place, corruption most times involves two people; the person giving and the receiver.
It will not be fair if the alleged receivers are being investigated, while those who induce these people are left free. As it stands, the president has not shown seriousness towards investigating charges of corruption against his ministers, including Amaechi. Nigerians will have to wait to see what happens in coming weeks or months to know if Amaechi will once again go uninvestigated.
