Tribunal chairman rains curses over attempted bribe to influence judgments
http://www.gatewaymail.org/wp-content/uploads/2015/10/Prof.-Attahiru-Jega...Ex-INEC-chairman-who-conducted-the-2015-elections..jpgNIGERIA: THE Chairman of the Ogun State Election Petition Tribunal on Friday rained curses of those he said allegedly attempted to offer members of the tribunal bribe in order to influence their judgments.
The three-man tribunal boss, Tobi Ebiowei, showered the curses during his maiden speech before the judgments in the 12 petitions filed before the tribunal by aggrieved candidates in the last general elections in the state.
Among the petitions are those of the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dapo Abiodun, challenging the victory of Senator Buruji Kashamu of Peoples Democratic Party, who represents Ogun East Senatorial in the Senate, Prince Adesegun Adekoya, a member of the House of Representatives for Ijebu North, Ijebu North East and Ogun Waterside Federal Constituency and 10 House of Assembly elections.
Ebiowei said at the Magistrate Court, Isabo, Abeokuta premises that none of his fellow members collected money from any of the peeved candidates or anyone.
He declared that whoever may have collected bribe to influence the judgments would, no doubt, receive the wrath of God.
The chairman maintained that such person would not be alive to enjoy the ill-gotten wealth, while adding that the takers of bribe would be a victim of untimely demise.
“Anybody who has collected money to influence the judgments may the judgement of God come upon him,” Ebiowei said angrily, adding: “I invoke the judgement of God upon the person.”
Apparently still fuming, the chairman further emphasised that should he or any member collected bribe in respect of the petitions, “the judgement of God be upon me, anybody including me who has collected money to influence the judgements, I invoke the judgement of God come upon me.”
Ebiowei stated that some unknown persons, while the trial was going on, who may have used the tribunal to make money, should return the money or else holy spirit would destroy them.
He said: “People who make business and money are here, there are professional gamblers. Nobody has given me any money. Our conscience is clear.
“So if you have collected money on behalf of the tribunal, you better return it. God is (the) overall judge, hell for bribe givers and bribe takers.”
