Elisha Abbo, a former senator from Adamawa North, has been requested by the Justices of the Court of Appeal to present proof in support of his allegations of bribery.
The ex-senator had alleged that the court’s president and others had accepted bribes to rule against him in the decision that removed him from office.
The senator claimed he had petitioned the National Judicial Council and President Bola Tinubu in writing to look into the bribery claims.
In a statement released by Uwemedimo Nwoko (SAN), a life bencher and former attorney general of Akwa Ibom state, on behalf of the Court of Appeal Justices, Abbo was ordered to apologise to Justice Chioma Iheme, the entire judiciary, and the Appeal Court President Monica Dongban-Mensem for the unfounded accusations.
The senator would be held legally accountable for his acts, according to the statement, if he continued to insist on not providing evidence to back up his assertions.
In a highly publicised press conference on February 1, 2024, Senator Elisha Abbo made baseless and outrageous accusations against the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Justice Chioma Iheme Nwosu (a Justice of the Supreme Court designate), and other honourable judges and court officials, including justices of the Court of Appeal.
According to Senator Abbo’s irresponsible and unethical press briefing, the President of the Court of Appeal was characterised as a judge who deals for cash and carry. He said that judges are involved in the practice of sending agents and youngsters to solicit money.
Let us pause for a moment and reflect on the fact that Senator Abbo has shown zero proof to back up his hefty accusations.
“We strongly reject the illegal blackmail plots concocted by individuals like Senator Abbo with the intention of smearing the honour and credibility of our esteemed and diligent justices and judges.
“It may be brought to your attention that Senator Abbo publicly blamed the Senate President, Distinguished Senator Godswill Akpabio, CON, for his unfortunate demise when he lost the lawsuit that had him dismissed from the Senate?
“As soon as he saw he had to prove the accusation, he knelt down, apologised deeply to Senator Akpabio, and withdrew them.
The fact that this senator, who gained notoriety for his inappropriate behaviour at an Abuja sex toy store, would muster the audacity and shame to cast aspersions on our justice system and its members just because he was unsuccessful in a case is most tragic and tragically unfortunate.
It is absolutely unacceptable, morally repugnant, and legally wrong for Senator Abbo, who has questionable moral credentials and severely lacking character traits, to launch this campaign of character assassination against our Justices, who have worked tirelessly to earn their respect and credibility.
Our judicial personnel and the judiciary must be protected from this type of foolishness and unwarranted attacks.
“I dare Senator Abbo to either provide us the proof that his claims are true or prepare to face the legal ramifications.”
Culled from THE FINDER NEWS
