I Never Compromised Judgements To Favour My Husband, Other Senators, Says Ex-Appeal Court President, Justice Bulkachuwa
A retired Justice and immediate past President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa has insisted that she never compromised her integrity as a judge for any reason.
Mrs Bulkachuwa said this while reacting to her husband, former Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa’s claim that he used her wife’s influence to obtain judgements at the appellate court in favour of fellow lawmakers.
Bulkachuwa, the former Senator representing Bauchi South in the Ninth National Assembly, openly admitted during a valedictory session that he used his influence to sway judicial decisions in favour of certain senators while his wife held the position of President of the Court of Appeal.
The senator said: “My wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while (she) was in office, and she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment and extended her help to my colleagues.”
Reacting to her husband’s claim, the retired justice claimed that all decisions during his time as a judicial officer were based on the dictates of the law.
She said “My attention has been drawn to the trending video of what was said by my husband Senator Adamu M. Bulkachuwa. I want to state categorically that I never at any time compromised my oath of office to favour any party who appeared before me throughout my judicial career spanning 40 years of service to my country.
“My decisions were always based on the facts, the law and following my conscience and oath of office.
“Also, as President of the Court of Appeal, my fellow justices of the court can attest to the fact that I never interfered with the independence of any of the justices of the court in the discharge of their judicial functions.”
Meanwhile, the Coalition for Protection of Democracy had urged the National Judicial Council to review all decisions taken by retired Justice Bulkachuwa, following the confession of her husband, Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa.