The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has barred former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development Pauline Tallen from holding public office on grounds of her disparaging comments against the judiciary concerning a decision of the Federal High Court in Adamawa State last year.
The court in its judgement on Monday, described Tallen’s statement as unconstitutional and reckless.
The court however gave Tallen an option of escaping the consequences of her comments if she apologises in two national dailies within 30 days from the date of its judgement.
The court also granted among other reliefs an injunction restraining Pauline Tallen from holding any public office in Nigeria, unless she publishes a personally signed apology letter to Nigerians and the Judiciary on a full page of the Punch and Guardian Newspapers.
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 Federal High Court in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, had nullified the candidacy of Aishatu Dahiru, also known as Binani, as the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate for the last general election.
Tallen dissatisfied with the court verdict; described it as a “Kangaroo judgement,” and urged Nigerians to reject it.
The Nigerian Bar Association has instituted the suit following failure of the former Minister to tender an apology after the President of the Association Yakubu Maikyau demanded her to.
Editor: Paul Akhagbemhe
