Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja has warned lawyers and litigants against any attempt to influence judicial proceedings, insisting that such conduct would be firmly resisted.
Gatekeepers News reports that the warning came shortly after the court granted bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF), Abubakar Malami, who is standing trial alongside his wife, Bashir Asabe, and his son, Abubakar Abdulaziz, over alleged money laundering offences.
Addressing counsel and parties in open court, Justice Nwite cautioned against approaching him outside the courtroom in a bid to sway his decisions.
“Before concluding, I want to admonish and warn counsel and litigants that all judges are not the same,” he said.
“When I am handling any case, please don’t approach me.
“When you are doing your case, you can get the best lawyers in this country to do your case, but don’t attempt to approach me for any help.
“I am not the type of judge. I know what God has done for me by giving me this job, and I have vowed to do it to the best of my ability.
“I have sworn before Almighty God and man that I am going to do my duty without fear or favour.
“Any attempt to try this will be vehemently resisted.”
Justice Nwite added that parties dissatisfied with his rulings should seek redress through the appellate courts, noting that his decisions could be tested at the Court of Appeal and, ultimately, the Supreme Court.
Earlier, the court granted bail to the three defendants in the sum of ₦500 million each, with two sureties in like sum.
The judge ruled that the sureties must own landed property within Asokoro, Maitama or Gwarimpa areas of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), swear to affidavits of means and submit two passport photographs to the deputy registrar of the court.
He further ordered the defendants to deposit their international passports with the deputy registrar and restrained them from travelling outside the country without the court’s permission.
The case was adjourned to February 17 for further hearing.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had arraigned Malami over allegations bordering on money laundering to the tune of ₦8,713,923,759.49. All the defendants pleaded not guilty to the charges.
