Muslims Lawyers Association of Nigeria (MULAN) Nasarawa state branch has called on All Progressive Congress (APC)-led faction to apologise to the Chief Judge of Nasarawa state, Justice Aishat Bashir-Aliyu.

This is contained in a statement signed by Barr. Abubakar Ahmad Tijjani, Chairman of the association in Nasarawa.

According to Tijjani, their attention had been drawn to a statement credited to the APC faction led by former chairman of Karu LGA, Hon. Samuel Akala.

Tijjani said the Chief Judge had over the years secured goodwill to her name in the judicial system both within and outside the state “because of her professionalism and unbiased stand on all issues thereby leading to a constructive notice to the onlookers.

“It is our desire as peace loving citizens of this country, and respecter of established Laws of the land to quickly respond to allegations raised against the person of Nasarawa state Chief Judge, Justice Aisha Bashir Aliyu which are frivolous, baseless and most legally childish.”

He described the Chief Judge as an impartial judge, acting in a fair and just manner towards all parties in cases before her and wondered the motive for the aspersions on her person and integrity.

“She has always been dispassionate, equitable, objective, and impartial in dispensing Justice to all, which explains why she ascended the seat of Chief Judge of Nasarawa state as the first female Chief Judge of the State.

“The Chief Judge of Nasarawa state is someone who dispassionately suggests freedom from the influence of strong feeling and dispense justice without any form of fear or favor,” he added.

He then described the actions and words of Samuel Akala-led faction of APC, “as an act of a group of individuals who have mistaken the court to be a village square, where no one commands what happens, how it happens or what should happen.

“The actions of such politicians in a state like Nasarawa state is most unfortunate, as it is rude and seeking to pull down the hard earned image and integrity of the state judicial system under the leadership of the Hon. Chief Judge.

“It is ridiculous, to hear politicians in a state like ours, viewing participation of the Hon. Chief Judge in the just concluded Hajj, which is a pillar of our religion, and acting in capacity of head of the Hajj delegation from the state, as a favor by the Executive arm of government, aimed at influencing her standing and decisions in cases pending before her.

“MULAN hereby, detest the words and manner devised by Samuel Akala led faction, in casting aspersion to the reserved rights of the Hon. Chief Judge in discharging her religious obligation, thereby using it as a yardstick to imply bias during the discharge of her duties.”

He then called on the Chief Judge “to disregard all forms of media intimidation and blackmail, often used by parties in litigation to bully Judges out of cases pending before courts and maintain her focus, not to get distracted by mischief makers, as adjudicating on issues involving some politicians, usually comes with media blackmail.

“It is the duty of our judges to protect the sanctity of the Judiciary and not to get bullied around by politicians in their quest to get everything by every means.

“Finally MULAN as a body of Muslim Lawyers in the state, hereby demands an open apology from the Samuel Akala led faction of the APC, to the Nasarawa State Chief Judge forthwith or face wrath of the law for sharing disrespect to the judicial system.”