Hakeem Baba-Ahmed, national chairman of the Peoples Redemption Party, has described the federal government’s housing gift to judicial officers as a form of bribery capable of compromising the independence of the judiciary.
Speaking during an interview on Trust TV, Baba-Ahmed said the gesture was inappropriate and could undermine public confidence in the courts, especially ahead of future elections.
“If this government genuinely is building this fantastic estate as a gift, literally that’s what it is — it’s a bribe to the judiciary,” he said.
The former presidential aide said concerns about the welfare of judges should have been addressed through institutional reforms rather than gifts from the executive arm of government.
He recalled that some Supreme Court justices had previously raised concerns about their welfare under the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari.
“These were the kind of issues that ought to have pushed a government to say, look, why don’t we look into the way judges live?” he said.
“Isolate them from temptation. Isolate them from sources that force them to be partisan or tempt them to be partisan.”
BETTER PAY FOR JUDGES
Baba-Ahmed said improving remuneration and working conditions for judges would have been a more appropriate way to strengthen the judiciary.
“Improve the way in which they are remunerated such that they can actually rent houses or build houses,” he said.
Questioning why judges were singled out for such benefits, Baba-Ahmed argued that other categories of public servants also contribute significantly to national development.
“Why don’t you build houses for federal permanent secretaries? Why don’t you build houses for some doctors?” he asked.
Asked what advice he would give judicial officers regarding the housing gift, Baba-Ahmed said they should reject it.
“I would tell them not to take it,” he said.
He added that even if the gift was accepted in good faith, it would create a perception problem and raise questions about judicial neutrality.
“How does that breach our independence or neutrality? I’m not sure,” he said.
“But the answer to that question would be that the NJC and the commissions of the judiciary should put their foot down. It is wrong. It is condemnable.”
HOW GIFT CORRUPT JUDGES
Baba-Ahmed said judges who accept such gifts could find it difficult to remain impartial in cases involving the government.
“You cannot just take public money as a partisan government, build houses, huge houses like this, and just dash it to judges,” he said.
“How do you expect them to be neutral?”
He argued that the timing of the gesture, with election-related litigation expected in the coming years, could further fuel concerns about the independence of the courts.
“Most of them are approaching election. Do you think they will be fair?” he asked.
“A judge that takes this would be compromised, whether he likes it or not.”
Baba-Ahmed described the development as a serious ethical issue that should not be ignored by Nigerians.
“This is the worst form of corruption, and it should not be allowed to be buried,” he said.
“We shouldn’t just move beyond this.”
