Politics
Why I gave judge N500, 000 –APC chieftain Muiz Banire
The National legal Adviser of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Mr Luiz Banire who was on Friday quizzed by the EFCC says he did not bribe a judge.
Banire was a quest of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for several hours, and was quizzed by the agency for allegedly paying N500, 000 into the account of Justice James Agbadu-Fishim.
A source at the EFCC revealed that his name came up in the course of scanning the account details of the judge, who presides over the National Industrial Court, and it was discovered that Banire had paid the sum into the account.
He also disclosed that several judges had been questioned by the anti-corruption agency, adding that some of the answers provided by the judges were at odds with bank statements where investigators detected a series of suspicious transactions involving senior lawyers.
But Banire whose passport was seized by the agency stated that he did not bribe the judge but sent him the money because the judge who is an old friend, and who also just lost his mother at that time, complained of being broke.
Read also: Buhari endorses appointment of 2 Supreme Court justices
Banire, a lawyer and former commissioner in Lagos State noted in a text message to Punch, that he does not have an official relationship with the said judge, and has never had a case before him.
This is coming on the heels of a crackdown on judicial officer alleged to be corrupt by different security and the anti-graft agency. Among Federal justices who have so far been questioned are Uwani Abba-Aji of the Appeals Court, Agbadu-Fishim of the Industrial Court, Mohammed Yunusa of the Federal High Court, Nganjiwa Hyledzira of the Federal High Court, Musa Kurya of the Federal High Court, and a Federal High Court judge, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia,
Meanwhile, the former senior special adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Media and Communication, Dr. Reuben Abati on Friday regained his freedom from the custody of the EFCC after a two week lodge with the anti-graft agency.
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