Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, who represented Bauchi North Senatorial District of Bauchi State in the 9th Assembly, has refuted media reports claiming that he admitted to influencing the decisions of his wife, Zainab Bulkachuwa, during her tenure as the President of the Court of Appeal.
The Senator faced criticism from the public after reports surfaced alleging that he disclosed using his position to influence his wife’s rulings on cases involving his colleagues while she served as the Court of Appeal President. The supposed revelations were said to have been made during the valedictory session of the 9th Assembly on the Senate floor.
The reports triggered widespread condemnation from Nigerians, with increasing calls for an investigation into both the Senator and his wife. However, in a recent interview with BBC Hausa, Bulkachuwa clarified that his statement in the Senate was misinterpreted and misrepresented, explaining that he was interrupted by the former Senate President, Ahmad Lawan.
The Senator’s denial aims to set the record straight and address the concerns raised by the public. The controversy surrounding the alleged influence peddling has sparked a renewed debate on the separation of powers and the independence of the judiciary in Nigeria.
“I was not even allowed to finish, I just started with some words like thanking her, saying she was patient with me as she was a legal practitioner and I am a politician,” he said in the interview. I wanted to elaborate on the specific nature of the help she provided. There exists a wide range of support that professionals in various fields, such as legal practitioners, doctors, or engineers, can offer in their respective roles.
“Note that this assistance does not involve any illegal or unethical activities. In my personal relationship with her, I have never imposed upon her professional autonomy or attempted to influence her judgment in handling cases or running her office. Such matters are not even discussed in our home,” he said.
