By Philemon Amos

Former President of the Court of Appeal, Zainab Bulkachuwa, asserts that she remained impartial throughout her 40-year tenure in the judicial service and never showed favoritism towards any political party. The retired judge emphasized that she never allowed her office to be compromised by partisan considerations.Bulkachuwa responded to recent remarks made by her husband, Senator Adamu Bulkachuwa, during the 9th Senate valedictory session on June 10. In his speech, Senator Bulkachuwa admitted to encroaching on his wife’s professional space while she held office.The former senator acknowledged his wife’s tolerance and support, stating, “She has been very accommodating, accepting my encroachment and offering assistance to my colleagues.”Adamu Bulkachuwa’s remarks sparked public outrage, prompting calls from Nigerians for an investigation into his statement.

However, in a subsequent interview with BBC Hausa, Adamu Bulkachuwa retracted his earlier statement, stating that he was not allowed to fully express his thoughts by the then Senate President, Ahmad Lawan. He clarified that the assistance he mentioned was not meant in a negative context.

Responding to her husband’s claims in a statement released on Sunday, retired judge Zainab Bulkachuwa asserted that she had never compromised her oath of office throughout her 40-year tenure. She emphasized that her decisions were always based on factual evidence.In response, Zainab Bulkachuwa released a statement addressing the video and her husband’s comments. She stated:

“I have been made aware of the circulating video regarding the statements made by my husband, Senator Adamu M. Bulkachuwa. I want to firmly assert that throughout my 40-year judicial career, I never compromised my oath of office to show favoritism towards any party that appeared before me.

“I consistently based my decisions on the facts presented, the law, and in alignment with my conscience and the principles of my sworn oath.Former justices of the court can attest to the fact that I never interfered with the independence of any of the justices in the discharge of their judicial duties.”

Zainab Bulkachuwa’s statement reaffirms her commitment to upholding the principles of justice, fairness, and independence throughout her judicial career.