Retiring Supreme Court Justice Warns Politicians Against Giving Cows, Rams to Judges

Retiring Supreme Court Justice Warns Politicians Against Giving Cows, Rams to Judges

Retiring Supreme Court Justice Ibrahim Musa Saulawa has urged politicians and litigants to stop giving cows, rams and other gifts to judges, warning that such gestures could undermine judicial integrity and independence.

Justice Saulawa made the call during his valedictory court session at the Supreme Court in Abuja following his retirement after attaining the mandatory age of 70.

The retiring justice described some of the gifts presented to judicial officers as “Greek gifts” and questioned why politicians should send cows, rams and other items to Supreme Court justices.

He said he had previously raised the issue with the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and urged the judiciary to take steps to discourage the practice.

Saulawa said judges must maintain honesty, morality, contentment and integrity and avoid accepting anything that could compromise their independence or create an appearance of influence.

He recalled an incident from his time on the Katsina State Magistrate’s Court, when a prominent businessman, Alhaji Ali Bagobiri, offered him a Peugeot 504 car.

According to Saulawa, he rejected the vehicle despite efforts by the businessman and other prominent individuals, including the Emir of Katsina, to persuade him to accept it.

READ ALSO:

• Dangote Draws Battle Lines as Fuel Import Fight Heads Back to Court
• Tinubu Returns After 30 Days in Europe, Says ‘I’m Healthy and Ready to Work’
• NMDPRA Moves Against Fuel Pump Fraud, Threatens Licence Revocation

The businessman later appeared before Saulawa in a case involving the alleged assault of a worker, Ahmad, who was said to have spent about two weeks in an intensive care unit.

Saulawa said the accused persons were convicted and fined N7,000 each, while the victim was awarded N10,000 in damages.

The retired justice said the experience reinforced his position that judges must keep personal benefits and judicial responsibilities separate.

He also recalled his role during the June 12, 1993 presidential election crisis, when he was serving as Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal.

Saulawa said conflicting court orders had emerged over the election and that he acted on the directive of the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Mohammed Mustapha Akanbi, to secure the appellate court’s registry and ensure that judicial processes were properly handled.

He said the judiciary resisted attempts to interfere with the judicial process during the crisis before the election was eventually annulled by the military government headed by General Ibrahim Babangida.

Justice Saulawa’s judicial career began in 1983 when he was appointed a Magistrate Grade II in the Kaduna State Judiciary. He subsequently served as a chief magistrate, Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal, High Court judge in Katsina and Justice of the Court of Appeal before his elevation to the Supreme Court in November 2020.

Born in Katsina on September 29, 1956, Saulawa studied law at Bayero University, Kano, and was called to the Nigerian Bar in 1982. His retirement brings an end to a more than four-decade legal and judicial career.

At the valedictory session, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, praised Saulawa for his contribution to the judiciary and described his career as one marked by service and principle.

Kekere-Ekun also recalled an earlier occasion when she and Saulawa resisted an attempt to place a personal benefit before their judicial responsibilities, saying the episode underscored the importance of protecting the integrity of judicial office.

Former Chief Justices of Nigeria Mahmud Mohammed and Olukayode Ariwoola, along with other senior judicial officers and members of the legal profession, attended the ceremony.

Saulawa’s retirement leaves behind a judicial career spanning the magistracy, High Court, Court of Appeal and Supreme Court, with his final message focused on the need for judges to protect public confidence in the administration of justice.

Retiring Supreme Court Justice Warns Politicians Against Giving Cows, Rams to Judges