Oyinlola: CJN asked to probe politician’s link with five FHC judges

But Kasamu, in a reaction to the petition said it is an attempt to blackmail and tanish the image of the judiciary in the country.In a petition to the CJN, dated November 1, 2013, the petitioners, Nigerians Against the Abuse of Courts (NAAC) said it is worried that Buruji Kasamu, the self-acclaimed leader of the […]

But Kasamu, in a reaction to the petition said it is an attempt to blackmail and tanish the image of the judiciary in the country.
In a petition to the CJN, dated November 1, 2013, the petitioners, Nigerians Against the Abuse of Courts (NAAC) said it is worried that Buruji Kasamu, the self-acclaimed leader of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest and Ogun State is now notorious for subversion of justice through the instrumentality of principally the Federal High Court.
Specifically, the petitioners are asking the CJN to probe the relationship of five judges of the court with Kasamu, through the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The National Co-ordinator of the organization, Comrade Olaleye Aderemi, who signed the petition said,
“On the political front, Buruji Kasamu has always been boasting that he can obtain any order that pleases him from the Federal High Court for a fee. Recently, in the case against former Governor of Osun State, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Buruji Kasamu boasted that Oyinlola will be removed with N25, 000, 000 (Twenty Five Million Naira only) and within a few months, he was removed.
“In Lagos, Justice Archibong who was dismissed on account of one of the Buruji Kasamu cases on Ogun Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) (among several other reasons) must have given not less than 20 orders of injunction, committal to prison e.t.c. for Buruji Kasamu. His judgments are always less than two paragraphs.”
They also said, “What these justices do not know is that Buruji Kasamu is persistently boasting about his exploits in relation to them to attract patronage for his consultancy.
“Our fears is further heightened by the approaching elections in the country that will involve PDP fielding candidates, vis the possibilities of this same Buruji Kasamu using the court to secure the party candidacy for whoever he wants.
“While we appreciate of our Lord’s efforts at sanitizing the judiciary, especially concerning the use of perpetual Injunction to frustrate corruption cases in the country, however, in spite of your warnings, Buruji Kasamu has in questionable manners continued to secure perpetual injunctions from the Federal High Courts. We are therefore urging you to use your good office to save our judiciary from further destruction by Buruji Kasamu and the judges on his payroll by directing an inquiry into the above listed cases and others involving Buruji Kasamu and, or his agents.”
Jamiu Agbabiaka, Executive Director of Centre for Rule of Law, Equity and Justice, a group in support of the Ogun PDP chieftan said in its reply to the petition, “We are constrained to, once again, notify Your Lordship of a well-calculated and orchestrated plan by the trio of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, Engr. Segun Oni and Chief Bode Mustapha to launch a campaign of calumny against the judiciary by maligning some of the best hands on the Bench as scape-goats.
“The major plank of their grouse is that since they could not get some of the judges to do their bidding, then they must be taught some lessons. They plan to use various faceless groups and fictitious names to write frivolous petitions against some high-ranking members of the Bar and Bench.
“To be sure, these individuals are embittered that they are now holding the short end of the stick as a result of their sack by the courts for various infractions on the constitution of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the laws of the land.”