Immediate past President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa, on Monday said, contrary to reports, she never interfered in the independence of any judge at the appellate court, while in office.
She was reacting to the comment credited to her husband, Adamu Bulkachuwa, a Senator in the 9th National Assembly, that she used her office to help his colleagues in cases brought before the appeal court.
In a statement she personally signed on Monday and made available to journalists, Justice Bulkachuwa defended her judicial integrity, noting that there was no ounce of truth in what her husband had said.
Justice Bulkachuwa further noted that her fellow judicial justices could attest to her work ethic and diligence while serving as the President of the Court of Appeal.
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 in accordance with my conscience and oath of office.”
Justice Bulkachuwa’s husband, Senator Bulkachuwa, had during valedictory session of the just concluded 9th National Assembly, claimed he encroached the freedom and independence of his wife to help his colleagues in their cases at appeal court.
“I look at faces in this chamber whom have come to me and sought for my help when my wife was the President of the Court of Appeal, and I’m sure…,” Sen. Bulkachuwa was captured saying in a viral video.
“And I must thank particularly, 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…”
The comment had caused a lot of outrage as many senior lawyers and judicial practitioners reacted to the comment and condemned the lawmaker’s utterances, calling for prove into Justice Bulkachuwa’s activities as appeal court president.
Senator Bulkachuwa had offered explanation in a statement, clarifying that he did not mean to say he interfered with her wife’s independence, noting that he was not done with his statement when then Senate President Ahmad Lawan interrupted him.
