Alex Enumah in Abuja
The umbrella body of lawyers in the country, the Nigerian Bar Association ( NBA) on yesterday called on the Nigeria Police Force and the anti-corruption agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), to immediately arrest with the view of interrogating and possibly prosecution of Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa for allegedly influencing the cause of justice in the country.
NBA national Presidential, Mr Yakubu Maikyau, SAN made the call shortly after the 102nd meeting of the National Judicial Council (NJC) which held Wednesday in Abuja.
Senator Bulkachuwa is the husband of the immediate past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa (Rtd).
Speaking on the floor of the National Assembly on Monday, the Senator from Bauchi State disclosed how he had on several occasions pressured the wife to do some of his colleagues lawmakers one favour or the other in the course of her duty as a judicial officer.
“The statements were clearly admissions by the Senator, that he did attempt to, and/or actually perverted the course of justice/interfered with due administration of justice, which makes him liable to be investigated and prosecuted even on his admission.
“That this came with a huge negative impact on the integrity and the independence of the Judiciary can only be an understatement”, Maikyau said in a statement issued to journalists.
While stating that he had already registered his disappointment and displeasure with the NJC, because the “disgusting and despicable conduct of Senator Bulkachuwa”, was a direct attack on the integrity of the Judiciary, the NBA president stressed that the body will not hesitate to take on anyone, either within or outside the legal profession, who takes steps or makes statements that are capable of undermining the independence of the judiciary and the impartiality judicial processes.
“It is in this regard that I call on the Inspector General of Police (IGP) and the Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to immediately invite Senator Ahmad Muhammad Bulkachuwa for interrogation and proceed to prosecute him accordingly. I shall write a letter to both the IGP and the ICPC Chairman in this respect.
“We reiterate our commitment to the maintenance and defence of the integrity and independence of the Judiciary in Nigeria, within the bounds of the law, irrespective of the personalities involved”, he added.
