The ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has lambasted former President
of the
Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, for distorting facts and attempting
play the
victim over the events that led to his suspension and eventual removal
from office,
as president of the appeal court.
The party expressed disgust at Salami’s manipulate facts even in the face
of damning
evidences against him including the testimony of MTN Nigeria which
admitted in an
open court.
Recall that the former PCA retired on October 15, 2013 on attainment of the
statutory 70 years old required for retirement. He until his retirement
was serving
a suspension placed on him by the National Judicial Council following a
disagreement
he had with a former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloysius
Katsina-Alu, over
the case of the Democratic Peoples Party at the Sokoto Appeal Panel in 2010.
However, speaking at the launch of his book last week entitled “Isa Ayo
Salami:
Through Life and Justice,” Salami said he had no regrets for refusing to
pervert the
course of justice, as he was allegedly instructed by the former CJN, Justice
Katsina-Alu, even though the development led to his suspension from office.
But the PDP in a statement fired back at the former President of Court of
Appeal
Justice for trying to play the victim instead of quietly returning to his
home.
The party further upbraided Salami for choosing to betray the institution
and his
colleagues and cast aspersions on highly revered judicial figures such
as Justices Katsina-Alu and Dahiru Musdapher who served Nigeria
meritoriously.
The statement read “Our attention has been drawn to comments by the former
President
of the Court of Appeal, Justice Ayo Salami, which tended to paint him in
the mould
of a victim and cast aspersion on eminent Nigerians including President
Goodluck
Jonathan, revered judicial officials and the
institution of the judiciary.
“In his comments, Justice Salami attempted to distort facts and history,
an action capable of misleading the country, hence it became pertinent
that we put the records straight.
“Contrary to what the opposition linked media would like the public to
believe, it would be recalled that the National Judicial Council (NJC),
the supreme juristic body in Nigeria, found Justice Salami guilty of
having perjured himself and lying against the then Chief Justice of
Nigeria Justice Aloysius Katsina-Alu.
“It is public knowledge that the Council suspended Justice Salami
following his refusal to abide by its directive to apologize to Justice
Katsina-Alu. Furthermore, in exercise of its powers under our laws, the
NJC not only suspended Justice Salami, but recommended to President
Jonathan that he should retire him immediately.
“It is also public knowledge that President Jonathan, being a man
governed by the Rule of Law, refused to take sides or interfere in the
matter and chose to allow the judiciary sort out its complications in
the Salami affairs, more so as Justice Salami had gone to court to
challenge the findings of the NJC.
“This is even in the face of damning evidences against Justice Salami
including the testimony of MTN Nigeria which admitted in an open court
that call
logs tendered in evidence were in fact true records of a
series of calls between leaders of the defunct Action Congress of
Nigeria (ACN) and Justice Salami who presided over the Court of Appeal
that over-turned governorship elections in Osun, Ekiti and Edo States in
favour of the ACN
“The fact that President Jonathan did not retire Justice Salami as
recommended by the NJC is a stand for which Justice Salami should be
grateful to the President who decide to be neutral in the matter.
“Instead of quietly returning to his home, Justice Salami has chosen to
play the victim. However, Nigerians are no fools. Justice Salami’s
public romance with the beneficiaries of the controversial ruling of his
Court, including governors who won their seats by virtue the ruling and
as other ACN chieftains at his book launch recently, openly betrays the
hidden facts regarding the handling of the election appeals under him.
This clearly raises issues regarding his culpability by association to
pervert the course of justice in the issue.
“It is highly unfortunate that after spending about 45 years in the
judiciary, Justice Salami will chose to betray the institution and his
colleagues and cast aspersions on highly revered judicial figures such
as Justices Katsina-Alu and Dahiru Musdapher who served Nigeria
meritoriously and were not known to align themselves with politicians
whether in secret or in private as in the case of Justice Salami who now
sits with his accomplices in the defunct ACN and try to mar their
records of service to the nation.
“Furthermore, Nigerians should note that under the administration of
President Goodluck Jonathan, Separation of Powers and respect for the Rule
of Law
have been the hallmark such that there have been no
Executive/Legislative face off and court judgments have been obeyed.
Also, elections under this administration have been free, fair and
credible and have resulted in an over 100 percent reduction in election
petition cases.
“Our candid advice to Justice Salami is that it is impossible to gain the
confidence of new friends by betraying old friends.”