The Federal Capital Territory High Court in Abuja has barred former Minister of Women Affairs and Social Development, Pauline Tallen, from holding any public office in Nigeria following her disparaging remarks about the judiciary.
Ms. Tallen had criticized the decision of the Federal High Court in Yola, Adamawa State, which nullified Aishatu Dahiru’s candidacy as the APC governorship candidate for the recent general election.
Labeling the court’s ruling as a “Kangaroo judgment,” she urged Nigerians to reject it, sparking controversy.
Yakubu Maikyau, President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), demanded an apology from Ms. Tallen, but she refused to retract her statement, prompting the NBA to file a suit against her at the FCT High Court.
The court condemned Ms. Tallen’s comments, describing them as unconstitutional, reckless, and contemptuous of the Federal High Court of Nigeria.
It offered her an opportunity to avoid the consequences if she published a signed apology in two national dailies within 30 days of the judgment.
However, the court also granted an injunction restraining Ms. Tallen from holding any public office unless she complies with the apology order.
Failure to do so within the specified period would result in a perpetual injunction against her from holding public office.
The legal entanglement arose from the nullification of Binani’s victory in the APC governorship primary elections in Adamawa.
Following a suit filed by Nuhu Ribadu contesting the outcome, the judge nullified Binani’s victory due to electoral law non-compliance.
Ms. Tallen criticized the ruling, alleging the marginalization of women in Nigerian politics. Despite the NBA President’s request for an apology, Ms. Tallen did not retract her statement, leading to the legal action culminating in the court’s decision to bar her from holding any public office in Nigeria.
