Petitions: Senior Lawyer Apologizes To Federal High Court Judges
A senior lawyers, Chief Abdullahi Tony, has formally apologized to two judges of the Lagos division of the Federal High Court, for written petitions against them.
Dania on different occasions, had written petitions against the duo of Justice Akintayo Aluko and Justice Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa, for ruling against him in matters that he represented his client.
The senior lawyer in his letter captioned: “Formal and Unconditional Apology”, which the court’s Chief Judge, Admin Judge and Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) were copied, stated that his decision to write the petitions was informed by emotion and passion, whereas he ought to have exploited other legal options. And that he has since learned his lesson, hence he apologized for forgiveness.
Parts of the lawyer’s apology letter read: “Though, I have humbled myself and apologized to my Lord in the open Court for my conduct, which was informed by emotion and passion, whereas I ought to have exploited other legal options, I also want to formalise my apologise to my Lord.
“Though, I actually withdrew my formal complaint, but the letter of withdrawal was not referred to, when my Lord was vindicated. I admit that my action was wrong. I thank my Lord for accepting my apologies, for the prayers, and for pronouncing that I have been forgiven. I also use this instant medium to further apologise to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
“I deliberately copied this instant letter to the Honourable Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Admin Judge of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos and the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Ikoyi, Lagos.
“Though I am a relatively senior counsel, but we are all humans; nobody is infallible. But I have learnt my lessons.”
Prior to the formal and unconditional letter, Chief Dania had previously stormed Justice Aluko and Justice Lewis-Allagoa court and openly apologized for written petitions against them.
In apologizing to the two judges, Chief Dania said: “my lord, I have come to apologize for my action, by writing a petition to NJC against my lord, though, I have done a letter to that effect.
“I wrote the petition because I allowed my anger to this court and I regret it. I plead with my lords to have a place in your heart to forgive me.
“My lord, I have come humbly to say I am very, very sorry for my action.”
Joining in apologizing to the judge, was one Chief A. B. Ezele, Chief Chidi Adukwu (SAN), Barrister Morufu Animashaun and Barrister Ogala, both of Force Criminal Investigation Department (ForceCID) Annex Alagbon-Ikoyi, who described themselves as friends to Chief Dania.
While Chief Ezele joined Dania in apologizing to Justice Aluko, both Barrister Animashaun and Ogala joined him in apologizing to Justice Lewis-Allagoa.
Ezele said; “I wants to apologize on behalf of my friend. I plead with my lord to forgive him. Amen sure, such a thing will not happen again.”
In the same vein, Adukwu (SAN), joined Chief Dania in apologizing to court. While the dou of Animashaun and Ogala said: “on behalf of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) we join in apologizing to the court.”
Both Justice Aluko and Lewis-Allagoa, in reaction to Chief Dania’s apology, said that have forgiven him.
Specifically, Justice Aluko while expressing his delight on the steps taking by Chief Dania, in apologizing to court.
In accepting Dania’s apology, Justice Aluko said: “this is highly commendable. I appreciate, I have no grudges against you.”
The judge further told Dania and other lawyers in court that “judges must get petition and if they are running from petition, they should just resign.
Justice Aluko also held that he had vowed not to sit down somewhere hold meeting on running down someone, “I promise not to do so”, Justice Aluko said.