Zainab Bulkachuwa, the wife of senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, has denied that he had any influence over her choices while she was the president of the Court of Appeal.
When he admitted to using his position to secure favors for his colleagues from his wife during the 9th Senate’s final session, the senator who represented Bauchi North in the 9th Assembly stirred up debate on the Senate floor.
In his words: “I look at faces in this chamber whom have come to me and sought for my help when my wife was the President of the Court of Appeal, and I’m sure…
“And I must thank particularly, my wife, whose freedom and independence I encroached upon while she was in office, and she has been very tolerant and accepted my encroachment, and extended her help to my colleagues…”
This admission instantly sparked a backlash from the public, especially the Nigerian Bar Association, who demanded an investigation and the former lawmaker’s prosecution.
Bulkachuwa said that his statements were misinterpreted in an interview with BBC Hausa, adding that the former Senate President had interrupted him as he was giving an explanation.
He said, “Well, 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.
“I wanted to elaborate on the specific nature of the help she provided, as 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,” Bulkachuwa defended.