Leaked U.S. government cables have alleged that renowned Nigerian lawyer Afe Babalola facilitated the payment of at least $1.125 million to bribe five Court of Appeal judges in the early 2000s. The alleged payments were aimed at securing a favorable ruling for then-Adamawa Governor Boni Haruna, who had been removed by an election tribunal for electoral malpractice.
According to the classified documents published by Wikileaks, each judge on the appellate panel, led by Justice Pius Olayiwola Aderemi, reportedly received $225,000 to overturn the tribunal’s ruling and reinstate Mr. Haruna. A senior lawyer reportedly claimed to have accompanied Mr. Babalola to deliver tens of millions of naira in untraceable banknotes for the bribes.
Discrepancies in Verdicts
U.S. diplomats expressed concern over the significant differences between the tribunal’s judgment nullifying Mr. Haruna’s election and the appellate court’s decision reinstating him. The cables questioned whether external influence, including financial incentives, played a role in the court’s ruling.
“The appeals court and the tribunal’s verdicts differed so significantly on the facts that they raise suspicions of external influence,” the cable stated.
Allegations Against Babalola
The allegations against Mr. Babalola also surfaced in the book by human rights lawyer Dele Farotimi, who accused the senior advocate of routinely bribing judges for favorable verdicts. The book, initially slow in sales, became a bestseller following Mr. Farotimi’s recent incarceration after Mr. Babalola filed a defamation suit against him.
Despite the allegations, Mr. Babalola, 95, has strongly denied any wrongdoing. He has vowed to clear his name, even as Nigerians express outrage over the reported heavy-handed treatment of Mr. Farotimi, who was arrested and transported from Lagos to Ekiti.
Public Reactions
The controversy has reignited debates over judicial corruption in Nigeria. Supporters of Mr. Babalola have urged Mr. Farotimi to retract his statements and apologize, while Farotimi’s backers insist the allegations should be addressed in court rather than through intimidation.
Protests are being planned in cities such as Abuja, Lagos, and Ekiti, as well as at King’s College London, which received a £10 million donation from Mr. Babalola in 2023. Demonstrators aim to highlight threats to freedom of speech and justice under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s administration.
Implications
The allegations have cast a shadow over Mr. Babalola’s distinguished career and raised broader questions about corruption in Nigeria’s judiciary. Meanwhile, the book detailing these accusations has sparked widespread interest, shedding light on a system many Nigerians view as compromised.
