By Garba Habib Azare
Former Bauchi state governor Mohammed Abdullahi Abubakar was sighted recently at the Appeal Court in Jos, fully fitted in his professional calling and leading a team of legal luminaries.
The ex-governor appeared very serious in the face, desperately trying hard, deploying his knowledge, experience and connections—to defend a political allay—Senator Adamu Muhammad Bulkachuwa of the Bauchi North Senatorial District.
In the build up to the 2019 elections, Mohammed sacrificed many of his political allies, including close loyalistsand against all odds, he worked tirelessly sometimes defying and breaking the laws of the land in protection of the former diplomat cum law maker Adamu Bulkachuwa.
For instance, Abubakar used the power of incumbency as governor who wields enormous influence within the party structure to ensure that Bulkachuwa wins the primaries, downsizing youthful and energetic politicians who appeared more serious to contribute their quota to nation building.
hardly seen at the red chamber let alone makes contributions to debates at the law making body.
Many political pundits and independent observers left tongues wagging, on how the former Governor allegedly imposed the ignominious Bulkachuwa, whom in all his years being in government made little impact to his constituents.
But why is MA Abubakar determined to support oppression of justice against the interest of the masses? Two major reasons standout.
First; close allays of Mr. Abubakar confided in me that because of the influence of Justice Zainab Bulkachuwa in the country’s justice system, MA Abubakar is interested in getting her subvert justice in his favour. Nothing justifies this assertion more than Abubakar’s outburst and confidence that he will reclaim his “mandate” at the appellate court.
The intrigues surrounding the judgment delivered by Justice Hafsat Abdulrahman at the tribunal also justifies the desperate attempt by the trio; Justice Zainab, MA Abubakar and Adamu Bulkachuwa.
For instance, 24hrs before the judgment, Mrs. Bulkachuwa drove to Bauchi, and close sources confided in me how she instructed the judges to rewrite the judgment and deliver it in her husband’s favour. I shall give details on how Justice Bulkachuwa allegedly truncated the judgment to favour her Husband.
Secondly; MA Abubakar was bolstered to take part in defending Adamu Bulkachuwa because Bulkachuwa himself was heard telling Adamu Adamu, Education Minister during a private visit that he was working alongside his wife to ensure MA Abubakar returns as Bauchi state governor.
Bulkachuwa, again was unequivocal in telling close allies that he will use his wife as usual to ensure MA Abubakar returns to the seat of power. So, for him to return the favour, MA Abubakar had to woo his friends and personally lead the legal team during the Appeal court sitting in Jos, to clandestinely show the Bulkachuwas that they are more united, stronger in ties and determined to carry on in their usual business of subverting the wills of the people.
Now these antecedents are keenly observed by spectators and the general public and the judgment that was delivered raised questions that should interest readers to be in the look out, which I shall diligently uncover in my second episode.
Recall that the entire judgment that got Farouk stripped of his mandate was done on technical ground and MA Abubakar is desperately interested in returning to ‘technicalities’ to defend his ally.
For instance, during the appeal court case, he drew attention of the Appellate Court to a notice of Preliminary Objection they filed on the 4th of October 2019 challenging the reliefs sought by the Appellants, Farouk and the NNPP.
He also urged the Court to strike out the case on grounds of appeal numbers: 5,6,7,8,10,11 and 12 as well as issues: 4,5,6 and 7 of the Appeal.
The former Bauchi state Governor Abubakar further adopted their brief of argument and urged the court to dismiss the appeal in its entirety.
One wonders, why the former Bauchi state Governor resolved to appear in person to defend the Bulkachuwas, but evidence that continue to emerge keep justifying the secret pact with the Bulkachuwas.
This piece is just a background to help readers keep a close watch and the subsequent piece shall unveil how Justice Zainab Nulkachuwa planted Justice Hafsat Abdularhman, the relationship between her, Justice Bulkachuwa, Adamu Bulkachuwa and MA Abubakar.
I shall also document how Bulkachuwa serially used his wife to subvert justice and his open outburst that “may be the Petitioners forget that my court is my house.” The piece shall also look at how the Bulkachuwas used a Benue born judge to support Auwalu Gwalabe after collecting N5 million in bribe.
Garba Habib Azare could be reached via garbaazare19@gmail.com
