The Presidency has denied the involvement of the Vice
President, Yemi Osinbajo in a N10m bribe as claimed by former Chief of Army
Staff, Lt. Gen Ishaya Bamaiyi(rtd).
Bamaiyi, in his book, “The Vindication of A General” alleged
that Osinbanjo was directed to convict him and others within six months during
the time, he, Osinbajo was Lagos State Attorney- General.
The former Army claims that Osinbajo shielded the then trial
judge, Justice Ade Alabi, whom he accused of demanding a N10 million bribe from
him.
However, the Senior Special Assistant to the Vice-President
on Media and Publicity, Laolu Akande, described Bamaiyi’s claims as blatant
lies.
In a statement, Akande said Osinbajo was never called to
Abuja or given any form of instruction on how to resolve the case.
According to Akande, “My attention has been drawn to claims
made by General Bamaiyi in his book Vindication of a General, where he alleged
that the then Attorney-General of Lagos State, Osinbajo, the trial judge, (in
the criminal case of his “involvement” in the shooting of Alex Ibru) Justice
Ade Alabi and the State Police Commissioner were called to Abuja and “directed
to convict us at all costs within six months.”
“That Justice Ade Alabi asked for a N10m bribe through “one
Mr. Martin” to facilitate his bail application in the case, and that the
National Judicial Council panel composed to investigate the bribery allegation,
protected the Judge.
“Specifically that Prof. Osinbajo “brought what he said was
the panel report during one of the motions.
Unfortunately, pages one through twenty-nine of the report
were not produced.”While the Vice President, Osinbajo would take more
comprehensive steps to address the evil insinuations made by the retired
General, I have confirmed from him, i.e. Prof. Osinbajo, that he was never
called to Abuja or at any time given any instructions on how to resolve the
case. This blatant lie arose only from the fertile imagination of the author.
“Equally, the shifty recollections of the retired General
about Prof. Osinbajo bringing a panel report with pages missing are as
ludicrous as it is incongruous. For instance, is the author saying the then
Lagos State Attorney-General was responsible for the NJC panel report? That
would be incredible and clearly a mischievous proposition.”
Akande stated that Bamaiyi’s counsel, Mike Okoy, who argued
the bail application for the former Army Chief had confessed in open court and
in several newspaper public notices as ordered by Court that he lied against
Justice Alabi.
“Okoye actually had to read his confession and apology in
the open court in a case that involved such prominent lawyers like Chief F.R.A
Williams, who in particular pressed that Okoye be held fully responsible for
his wild accusations.
“It is incredible that after all of this, the author went on
to mislead the public. What impudence!” the presidency stated,” Akande added.
Read Bamaiyi’s allegation below…
His words: “We were in prison until we were taken to court
in Lagos on December 22, 1999 to face Justice Alabi, who was said to have been
called to Abuja with the Attorney-General and Lagos State Commissioner for
Justice, Prof. Osinbajo.
“They were said to have been directed to convict us at all
costs within six months. Unknown to our persecutors, we had a lot of sympathy
within the Presidency, the Police, and the DSS.
“As such, whatever instructions were passed to them got to
us within a short while. I applied for bail even though I knew it would not be
granted. After the argument by my counsel and the counter-argument by the
state, led by the A-G, the case was adjourned without a date for ruling on my
bail application.
“After some days, one Mr. Martins came to prison to visit Al
Mustapha, who came and told me that he had been sent by Justice Ade Alabi to
discuss my bail issue. He told me the judge was ready to grant me bail if I
would give him N10 million.
“We discussed this with Al Mustapha and I expressed my fears
regarding Mr. Martin’s message. We told Mr. Martins to prove that Justice Alabi
had really sent him.
“He left, but after about two weeks, he came back and told
us that when next we went to court, the trial judge would give us two months
for the ruling on the bail application. This would be his proof that the judge
had sent him.
“He said the judge was aware we were in prison and needed
time to get money. At our next court appearance, the judge adjourned for two
months. This proved to us that Mr. Martins was genuine.
“I informed my counsel, Mr. Mike Okoye, who argued the bail
application. He said we should think about it and that he would try to find out
the matter. We waited until I decided that I would give nobody any money.
“One day in court, Al Mustapha got fed up and challenged the
judge. At the next court date, I asked the judge for permission to speak. He
initially hesitated but changed his mind. I believe he thought I was going to
apologize for Al Mustapha’s action during the previous hearing.
“I started by saying, ‘I have respect for the rule of law
and the judiciary. I also have respect for this court.’ This made the judge
relax. I quickly added, ‘But a situation where the judge sends people to
collect money from accused persons is unacceptable. You know what I am talking
about.’
“The judge ordered me to sit down. I did because I had said
what I had wanted to say. Afterwards, we petitioned the National Judicial
Council, NJC, against Justice Alabi. He wanted to continue with the case
against the advice of lawyers and some judges. Eventually, he was forced to
return the case file to the administrative judge.
“The NJC then decided to investigate our allegation. On
March 25 to 27, at the Kirikiri Magistrate Court, the panel, headed by a
retired Justice of the Supreme Court, started hearing our petition. Unknown to
us, the panel had decided to protect Justice Alabi who was working for the
government.
“The panel was made up of Justice B.O. Babalakin (Chairman);
Amb. M.L. Sambo (member) and T.J. Onomigbo Okpoko, SAN (member). “Justice Ade
Alabi brought in Chief Afe Babalola, SAN as lead counsel and he came with Chief
Ladi Williams, SAN, Prof. G.A Olawotin, SAN; Kola Awioderin, SAN, Ikenwa Okoli,
Gboyega Oyewole, Adebayo Aderipekun. Justice Alabi was docked and examined by
Chief Afe Babalola who led him in evidence. He was then cross-examined by Y.C.
Maikyau, Bala Ibn Na’Allah and Jingi.
“They succeeded in stopping members of the press from
covering theses proceedings. Later we got to know why the press was barred from
the panel.
The panel report was full of lies. The panel report stated
that Justice Alabi was not docked and was not cross-examined by our counsel. I
only hope Afe Babalola did not see that panel report. These are clear lies, as
Justice Alabi was docked and cross-examined.
“Prof. Osinbajo brought what he said was the panel report
during one of the motions. Unfortunately, pages one through 29 of the report
were not produced. This was very clear because we, the petitioners, gave
evidence and Justice Alabi was examined and cross-examined.
“I believe the missing pages contained our statements and
the examination and cross-examination of Justice Alabi by our counsels. I
believe these actions are understandable because Justice Ade Alabi was given an
assignment to carry out injustice and he had to be protected by those who had
given him the assignment.
“We were disappointed with the former Justice of the Supreme
Court, Justice Babalakin, who disrespected himself and let down all justices of
the Supreme Court. Even in retirement, they should be honourable.
“I am looking forward to the day we see the complete report
of the panel and the statements made by those who gave evidence. We also hope
the investigation of the death of Mr. Martins under suspicious circumstances
will be made available one day.”
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