Court Restrains Former Minister Under Buhari’s Government From Holding Public Office (SEE WHY)

Court Restrains Former Minister Under Buhari’s Government From Holding Public Office (SEE WHY)

The Federal Capital Territory High Court has issued a restraining order against the former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, preventing her from holding any public office. This restriction stands unless she issues a public apology for her disregard of the court within a 30-day period.

Presided over by Justice U.P. Kekemeke, the court specified that the injunction would become permanent if Tallen, who served during the administration of former President Muhammadu Buhari, fails to tender a public apology within the stipulated time frame.

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The disagreement between Tallen and the Nigerian Bar Association arose in December 2022 when, in her capacity as a minister, she referred to the decision of the Federal High Court in Suit No. FHC/YL/12/2022, involving Mallam Nuhu Ribadu vs All Progressives Congress (APC) & 2 Ors, as “a kangaroo judgment that should be rejected by well-meaning Nigerians.” The NBA, dissatisfied with this characterization, demanded an apology from Tallen, threatening legal action if she failed to comply.

A statement by NBA’s National Publicity Secretary, Akorede Habeeb Lawal, on Monday read, “Recall that on the 14th day of December, 2022, the Incorporated Trustees of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) took out an originating summons against Dame Pauline Tallen. The aforesaid statement by the former minister was widely circulated in both social and print media.

“By a letter dated 14 November, 2022, the NBA President, Mr Yakubu Chonoko Maikyau (SAN) had written to the former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development demanding her to withdraw the said disparaging comments and tender an unreserved and public apology to the court, failing which the NBA would institute an action against her as being unfit to continue to hold any public office in Nigeria.

“This letter was never responded to and the demands therein were not complied with, hence the institution of Suit No: CV/816/2016 before the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory.

“Earlier today, the 18th day of December, 2023, the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory found in favour of the Incorporated Trustees of the NBA and against the defendant, Dame Pauline Tallen, in Suit No: CV/816/2016. Consequently, the court declared that the said statement of Dame Pauline Tallen (the defendant) was unconstitutional, careless, reckless, disparaging, a call to disobey the judgment of court and therefore contemptuous of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.”

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The statement noted that the court also granted among other reliefs “an injunction restraining Dame Pauline Tallen from holding any public office in Nigeria, unless she purges herself of the ignoble conduct by publishing a personally signed apology letter to Nigerians and the judiciary.

“The court ordered that the injunction restraining the defendant from holding any public office in Nigeria shall become perpetual if she fails to abide by the order directing her to publish an apology letter within 30 days.”

The NBA affirmed its unwavering commitment to safeguarding the integrity of the judiciary, emphasizing its dedication to holding those who disparage the judiciary accountable for their actions.

The association pledged to publicly address any judicial officer who deviates from the judicial code of conduct. Furthermore, the NBA urged judicial officers to uphold their oath with utmost seriousness, avoiding any actions or oversights that might cast doubt on their impartiality.

The statement quoted the NBA President expressing gratitude to the legal team that diligently handled the lawsuit on behalf of the association. The team included Aikpokpo Martins, Olukunle Edun, Eseagwu Augustine Nwabueze, Anne Agi, Nwabueze Kelvin, and T.J.J Danjuma.

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