My attention has been drawn to the
publication in several newspapers of Saturday 5th November, 2016
suggesting that I was arrested by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission
in connection with an allegation that I bribed a judge with the sum of
N500,000.00. I must say that while sensationalism may occasion a newsworthy
item, it behoves the victim of same to educate the public on the actual
development.
It must, therefore, be understood that I
was never arrested or invited by the EFCC but having read the allegation on the
social media, I wrote a letter dated 29 October, 2016 to the EFCC notifying
that I would be visiting the Commission on Tuesday 1st November,
2016 to assist in its investigation of the matter.
Thus, I voluntarily visited the EFCC on the
said date and have clarified to the said Commission thereafter as follows:
1. I did not give any bribe of
the sum of N500,000.00 or any other amount to any Judge at any time whatsoever,
2. The person to whom I gave a
gift of N500,000.00 in 2013 was a former colleague in the academia, a
fellow lawyer whom I now understand to be a judge with whom I had lost
physical contact for more than seventeen years save for telephone conversation
about probably three years ago when he solicited for my financial assistance
towards his mother’s burial;
3. I had not physically seen
the said judge in the past seventeen years or more until Thursday, the 3rd
day of November, 2016 at the EFCC premises;
4. I have never appeared before
the said judge either as a lawyer or as a litigant;
5. I have never taken any
benefit from the said recipient of my generousity and have never expected any
benefit in return;
6. The occasion of the gift was
purely customary for the purpose of assisting in the burial of his deceased
mother.
I must say this kind of assistance is not
peculiar to this old colleague but that which is the nature of my usual
disposition to all colleagues, associations, students, clubs, religious bodies
and humanity in general.
I am a strong advocate of anti-corruption
campaign and will never descend into the insanity of offering bribe to pervert
the course of justice. It is my strong conviction that the just shall live by
faith and this passing phase shall soon give way to the triumph of the
uncompromising truth. This development rather strengthens my resolve to
continue to uphold my ideals and principles.
Thanks.
Dr. Muiz Adeyemi Banire, SAN
Tags
Politics