Rédaction Africa Links 24 with Fadehan Oyeyemi
Published on 2024-02-07 16:06:13
Former Adamawa North senator, Elisha Abbo has been given an ultimatum to either prove his bribery allegations against the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, or face legal action. Alternatively, he has been directed to issue apologies to Justice Chioma Iheme and the entire judiciary for his unsubstantiated allegations.
Uwemedimo Nwoko, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) and former Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, emphasized that Abbo must either substantiate his bribery allegations or apologize for making baseless claims. This directive comes in response to Abbo’s accusations against the judiciary, particularly the bribery allegations made against Justice Dongban-Mensem and others during a press conference on 1st February.
In a statement issued on behalf of the Court of Appeal President and those accused of bribery, Nwoko highlighted the lack of evidence provided by Abbo to support his serious allegations against the judiciary. The statement noted that the judiciary and its officers cannot be intimidated or subjected to criminal blackmail.
Nwoko’s statement addressed the specific allegations made by Abbo during the press conference, pointing out that he had not produced any evidence to support his claims. It condemned Abbo’s “reckless and unconscionable” accusations and stressed the need for verifiable evidence to substantiate such weighty allegations.
The statement also referenced a previous incident where Abbo accused Senator Godswill Akpabio of orchestrating his removal from the Senate, only to later apologize and retract the allegations. Nwoko highlighted the contrast between Abbo’s previous behavior and his current accusations against the judiciary, describing it as “sad and most unfortunate.”
Nwoko strongly condemned the character assassination of the judiciary and its officers, emphasizing the unacceptable nature of baseless attacks against justices who have worked to build their reputations over the years. He called for an end to such “nonsense and unprovoked attacks” and challenged Abbo to produce verifiable evidence or face legal consequences.
The ultimatum issued to Abbo reflects the seriousness of the allegations made against the judiciary and the expectation of evidence to support such claims. The statement from Nwoko and the stance taken by the judiciary underscore the importance of upholding the integrity and reputation of the judicial system.
It is clear that the judiciary and its officers are not willing to tolerate baseless accusations that tarnish their hard-earned reputations. The challenge to Abbo to provide evidence or apologize serves as a reminder of the consequences of making unsubstantiated allegations against the judiciary. The gravity of the situation is emphasized by the involvement of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and the former Attorney General of Akwa Ibom State, both of whom have emphasized the need for accountability and integrity in addressing such serious allegations.
In conclusion, the ultimatum issued to Elisha Abbo reflects the judiciary’s commitment to upholding its reputation and integrity in the face of baseless accusations. The expectation of evidence or an apology serves as a reminder of the consequences and responsibilities associated with making serious allegations against the judiciary. The statement from Uwemedimo Nwoko and the position taken by the judiciary send a clear message about the importance of substantiating such claims and the potential legal implications of failing to do so.
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