Another Supreme Court Justice narrates how Amaechi, APC lobbied to manipulate court judgments

Justice Sylvester Ugwuta of the Supreme Court, has narrated how former governor of Rivers state and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, lobbied to manipulate court judgments in favour of the All Progressives Congress, APC and its candidates, especially in Ekiti and Rivers states. Recall that Justice Ugwuta’s house was invaded by the DSS on 7th […]

Justice Sylvester Ugwuta of the Supreme Court, has narrated how former governor of Rivers state and Minister of Transport, Rotimi Amaechi, lobbied to manipulate court judgments in favour of the All Progressives Congress, APC and its candidates, especially in Ekiti and Rivers states.

Recall that Justice Ugwuta’s house was invaded by the DSS on 7th and 8th of October.

Justice Ugwuta in a letter dated 18th October, 2016, addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, National Judicial Council,  Justice Mahmud Mohammed, narrated thus:

"My present plight started sometime between 2013 and 2014. I represented the then Chief Justice of Nigeria in an event organised in the International Conference Centre. Hon. Rotimi Amaechi came in late and sat next to me at the high table. He introduced himself to me and we exchanged contacts.

A few weeks after, Fayose’s case was determined in the Court of Appeal. Amaechi called me by 6.45 am. He said he had come to see me but was told I had left for my office. When he said he would return in the evening, I demanded to know what he wanted but he would not tell me. He did not come that evening but came the following morning when I was already prepared to go to work.

He begged me to ensure that Fayose’s election was set aside and another election ordered for his friend Fayemi to contest. I told him I would not help him and that even if I am on the panel I have only my one vote.

After the Rivers State Governorship election was determined by the Court of Appeal, he called to tell me his ears were full and he would like to tell me what he heard. I told him I was out of Abuja at the time. On my return he came in the evening and even before he sat down he barked “You have seen Wike”. I asked him whether that was a question or a statement.

Then he made a call and asked me to speak with someone. The man he called said he was a DSS man. We exchanged greetings and I handed the phone to him. Next, he said “Oga is not happy”. I asked him who is the unhappy “Oga” and he answered “Buhari”. I retorted “go and talk to his wife”. He got very angry, and left, remarking “we shall see” several times.

Your Lordship may recall one morning when I pleaded not be on the Panel for Rivers Appeal. Your Lordship said I was already on the Panel and asked me to explain why I made the request to be excluded. When I explained what transpired the previous night, Your Lordship told me Amaechi had also attempted to influence other Justices.

My Lord, on the day we heard the appeal with your Lordship presiding, we were allowed lunch break at 4.20 pm. The moment I got into my Chambers he, Amaechi, called. When he told who was calling, I said to him, “Your Excellency, you want to issue more threats”? He replied “Have you been threatened before?” I replied “I know a threat when I hear one even if veiled. In any case I will not talk to you” and I switched off my phone.

The people who failed in their attempt to destroy me in Ebonyi in 2000 and in Enugu in Andy Uba’s case in the Court of Appeal, Enugu in 2009 are now supplying Amaechi with information to fight me for my negative response to his demands, especially my answer to his statement that “Oga was not happy”. This infuriated him and as he stormed out he said he would deal with the situation".