Emeka Nwite, presiding judge of the Federal High Court in Abuja, has alleged that attempts were made to bribe him during the ongoing trial of Abubakar Malami, former attorney-general of the federation (AGF).
Recall that NAIJAONPOINT reported that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) arraigned Malami, Abubakar Abdulaziz Malami, and his wife, Bashir Asabe, on allegations of money laundering totalling N8,713,923,759.49.
In a ruling on Wednesday, the judge granted the defendants bail in the sum of N500 million each.
Speaking after the ruling, Nwite disclosed that some persons had approached him seeking a favourable ruling in the case.
“Before I conclude this proceeding, I want to admonish both parties and litigants that they should know the type of court they are appearing before,” he said.
“All judges are not the same. Even if I am familiar with you, when I am handling any case, please don’t approach me.”
He warned that the best any lawyer can do for a client is to provide legal representation and that the law “cannot be bent as far as this court is concerned.”
“So, I want to warn each and every one of you, litigants and lawyers appearing before this court, to understand how this court operates,” he said.
“Please, to be forewarned is to be forearmed. Any attempt to test my leniency will be resisted and dealt with. I warn, I warn, and I warn.”
The matter has been adjourned to February 17 for further hearing.