How DSS Bribery Allegation Against Wike Of Justice Pindiga Failed

Justice Pindiga was one of the judges that the DSS invaded their homes and arrested in a nationwide clampdown on October 7 and 8, 2016.

Pindiga served on the Rivers State Electoral Petition Tribunal.

According to the allegation of the DSS, Justice Pindiga had compromised his oath of office by sending a bogus petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC) on the matter.

Read how the NJC knocked down the allegation when the DSS could not substantiate its claims, rather resorted to media trial:

RE: HON. JUSTICE MUAZU PINDIGA OF HIGH COURT, GOMBE STATE

The DSS RE: HON. JUSTICE MUAZU PINDIGA OF HIGH COURT, GOMBE STATE

The DSS petitioned the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council alleging corrupt practices against Hon. Justice Pindiga, inter-alia:-

“i) That the Hon. Judge in a bid to illegally enrich himself, perfected plans through third party proxies/conduits, with a view to influencing the outcome of the Election Tribunal in the governorship polls in favour of the incumbent Governor Nyesom Wike.
ii) That further ongoing discreet investigation, Justice Pindiga is observed to have illegally enriched himself through corrupt means. Part of the illegitimate proceeds suspected to have accrued to Pindiga includes the underlisted:
a) Two (2) completed blocks of six (6) units 2 bedroom flats in Federal Low Cost Estate in Gombe metropolis;
b) Four (4) units of bungalow in another part of the Estate;
c) An uncompleted property at GRA in Gombe Metropolis;
d) a Mercedes Benz C300 car in the name of MUBAJJAL;
e) A Toyota Venza-Model SUV.
iii) From all indications, it is apparent that Pindiga, who is a very Senior Justice in Gombe State, is highly corrupt. His continuous stay as a Justice in any capacity would likely embarrass the current administration and pervert the cause of justice. In view of the foregoing, it is strongly advised that immediate necessary administrative and judicial measures be taken on him, including appropriate sanctions and trial to set a precedent to others of his like”.

The complaint containing the allegations of corrupt practices against the Hon. Judge were conveyed in a letter Ref No. DGSS71/3161 and dated 26th February, 2016, written by the DSS to the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council. The petition was not supported by a verifying affidavit deposed to by the DSS, as required by the NJC 2014 Judicial Council Discipline Regulations. The Petition would have been disregarded for non-compliance with the National Judicial Council Regulations, but the NJC exercised some restraint and by a letter Ref. No. NJC/S.15/HC.GM/5/1/128 dated 19th April, 2016, the DSS was notified and requested to comply and depose to a verifying affidavit in support of the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against the Hon. Judge.

In a letter Ref No. LSD.232/4/68 dated 6th May, 2016, to the Council, the DSS deposed to a verifying affidavit in respect of the allegations against Justice Pindiga.

On the directive of the NJC, Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga responded to the allegations against him by DSS. Thereafter, a Committee comprising Members of the NJC investigated the allegations of corrupt practices.

Both Parties – The DSS and Hon. Justice Mu’azu Pindiga, together with their witnesses and counsel appeared before the Committee set up by NJC to investigate the allegations, in compliance with the NJC 2014 Judicial Discipline Regulations and Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended, on the Right to Fair Hearing.

The DSS was represented by a Director, S. U. Gambo, Esq. who is also a Legal Practitioner in the Department and Hon Justice Pindiga was represented by Joe Agi, SAN.

At the end of the investigation, the DSS could not substantiate any of the allegations of corrupt practices either by documentary or oral evidence against the Hon. Justice Pindiga.

Consequently, at its Meeting of 15th July, 2016, Council decided to exonerate Hon. Justice Pindiga of the allegations of corrupt practices levelled against him by DSS.

The NJC’s decision was conveyed to Hon. Justice Pindiga in a letter Ref. No. NJC/HC.GM/5/1/132 of 9th August, 2016 and copied the DSS.