Fear grips Supreme Court Justices, staff over secret account

November 7, 2016 There is palpable fear among Justices and staff of the Supreme Court over the discovery of a secret bank account with huge sums of money belonging to the apex court by the Department of State Security Service (DSS).
Already, Chief Registrar of the court, Ahmed Gambo Saleh and two others, Muhammed Abdulrahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal have been slammed with a nine-count charge of alleged N2.2b fraud by the Federal Government, over operation of the secret account.
Supreme Court sources told Daily Sun that about 13 Justices of the apex court, who have all benefited from the account are now living in fear of a possible arrest.
Besides, those directly charged in connection to the account, the source further said include “some principal officers who have been interrogated by the DSS.”
Although, about 13 Justices of the apex court were said to have signed and collected money drawn from the secret account, the source said “the Federal Government may not move against them as doing so will affect the quorum of the court.
“We have evidence against those Justices but, going against them will mean there will be no Supreme Court.
“They actually signed and collected money from the account, which contains billions of naira.”
The alleged account was allegedly operated outside of the due process of the civil service and “money in the account is often withdrawn to fund foreign trips of some judges.
“Preliminary investigation shows that staff of the court and Justices also withdraw funds from the account.
“Also, the secret account is used for foreign trips of Judges.”
When contacted to react on the issue, Alhaji Ahurakah Isah, media aide to the out-going Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed declined comments. Isah said the apex court will react at an appropriate time.
Last Thursday, government filed a nine-count criminal charge against Saleh and two others over alleged N2.2 billion fraud at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory(FCT), Abuja.
Others named in the charge, with number CR/13/2016  and dated November 3, 2016, are Muhammed Abdulrahman Sharif and Rilwanu Lawal all staff of the Supreme Court of Nigeria.
The defendants were specifically accused of conspiracy, criminal breach of trust and taking gratification by Public officers, contrary to Section 10 (a) (i) of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Act 2000 and punishable under the same section of the Act.
Reports from The Sun Newspaper