Wikileaks Exposes Alleged Bribery of Court of Appeal Judges by Afe Babalola and Obasanjo in 2004 Election Ruling
A recently released Wikileaks diplomatic cable has shed light on a disturbing allegation involving Nigerian legal luminary, Chief Afe Babalola, and former President Olusegun Obasanjo. The cable, dated from 2004, claims that both figures played a role in securing a favorable ruling for Adamawa State’s then-governor, Boni Haruna, by allegedly purchasing a decision from the Court of Appeal.
According to the document, an attorney working for Afe Babalola confirmed that the favorable ruling by the Court of Appeal, which overturned a previous tribunal decision that had nullified Haruna’s election, was ensured “in typical Nigerian fashion: with cash.” The attorney, who was involved in the appeal, revealed that President Obasanjo had personally sent Babalola to handle the case and, along with the assignment, delivered a large sum of money to be distributed to the judges.
The attorney claimed that he was involved in delivering 30 million Naira (about $225,000) to each of the five judges on the tribunal. He also mentioned that he was unsure if that was the full amount disbursed. “This is the normal procedure when it is an important case,” the attorney reportedly said. The revelation paints a troubling picture of judicial corruption and highlights how financial influence may have swayed legal outcomes in the country.
Boni Haruna, a prominent member of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and a close ally of Obasanjo at the time, was governor of Adamawa State from 1999 to 2007. The case centered on the election tribunal’s finding of electoral malpractice and noncompliance with electoral laws, which initially led to the nullification of Haruna’s victory. However, the Court of Appeal in Jos, under the influence of the alleged bribes, reversed this decision, declaring the evidence insufficient and the tribunal’s ruling flawed.
The release of the cable has rekindled public outrage over political corruption in Nigeria, particularly within the judiciary. The whistleblowing by the Wikileaks document has also placed Afe Babalola under renewed scrutiny, coming at a time when he has been involved in another controversy. Recently, Babalola has been criticized for using the Nigerian police to arrest human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi over allegations of defamation, further compounding his already controversial public image.
Farotimi, known for his outspoken criticisms of Nigeria’s criminal justice system, was detained after Babalola accused him of defamation in his book, Nigeria and Its Criminal Justice System. Farotimi was arrested in Lagos and taken to Ekiti State, where he faces multiple charges. He was arraigned on December 4, 2023, at a Magistrates Court in Ado-Ekiti, where he pleaded “not guilty” to 16 charges, and was denied bail by the presiding magistrate, Abayomi Adeosun.
This fresh controversy comes in the wake of a renewed focus on Babalola’s past actions, as human rights groups and activists, including Omoyele Sowore, have condemned his use of state power to silence critics. Sowore, in response to the leaked Wikileaks cable, remarked that Babalola’s past misdeeds were finally coming to light. “Babalola’s chickens are coming home to roost!” Sowore wrote on social media, drawing attention to the cable and calling for the immediate release of Dele Farotimi, who remains in custody.
As the situation continues to unfold, the Wikileaks revelation serves as a powerful reminder of the deep-seated corruption that has plagued Nigerian politics and the judiciary. It also raises crucial questions about the integrity of past and present leadership in the country, particularly regarding their influence over the judicial system.
Gists9ja had reported that Farotimi, currently in remand, filed an application for his bail at the Ado Ekiti Magisterial District of Magistrate Court of Nigeria.
The Motion for Bail filed in Charge No: MAD/1476/2024, Motion No: MAD/ 160cm/244 before the court is between Commissioner of Police as Complainant/ Respondent And Dele Farotimi as Defendant/Applicant.
It was brought “pursuant to section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights and Sections 158 of the Administration of Criminal Justice ACT 2015 and under the inherent jurisdiction of the Honourable Court.”
In the bail application filed on Thursday, Dec 5. by 11 lawyers led by Prof. O.F Emiri, SAN, his Counsels sought among others for “an order admitting the Applicant to bail pending the determination of his trial before this Honourable Court.
“Any other orders this Honourable court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.”
The lawyers gave four grounds for the application, as “1. the Defendant/Applicant is presumed innocent until proven guilty as guaranteed under Section 36(5) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (1999) and Article 6 of the African Charter on Human and People’s Rights.
“2. The offences alleged are bailable under the Criminal Code Act.
“3. The Defendant/Applicant has a fixed address, is a lawyer with 25 years of experience and is a prominent member of the society, posing no flight risk.
“4. The Defendant/Applicant undertakes to be available for trial and comply with all conditions set by this Honourable Court.”
Other lawyers in the team are: Adejare Kembi, Esq.; Bayo Ayo, Esq.; Ralph Nwoke, Esq.; Temidayo P. Akeredolu, Esq.; Mayowa Omojola, Esq.; O. T. Adeogun, Esq.; Emmanuel O. Adeyemi, Esq.; Olaide Awwal-Bolanta, Esq.; Benjamen Akomolafe, Esq. Applicant Counsel Clearwater Partners (Temidayo Akeredolu & Co).
Source: SaharaReporters
