A Nigerian state governor, Douye Diri, says he would donate his share of N40 million which the Supreme Court ordered two prominent Nigerian lawyers to pay him, his deputy and their party, to a church, Punch newspaper has reported.
Diri, who was inaugurated as the governor of oil-rich Bayelsa State, South South Nigeria, on February 14, did not name the beneficiary church.
He spoke during a thanksgiving service at the King of Glory Chapel, Government House, Yenagoa, the state capital.
The Supreme Court, while dismissing a case brought by the All Progressives Congress (APC) requesting it to reverse its February 13 judgement that sacked the hitherto state governor-elect, David Lyon, asked the party’s lawyers – Afe Babalola (SAN) and Wole Olanipekun (SAN) – to pay N40 million to Diri, his deputy, Lawrence Ewhruojakpo and their party, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
Justice Amina Augie, who read the unanimous judgement of the seven-member panel of the court, said in an angry tone that, “No force on earth can force the court to change its decision.”
With tear in her eyes, Mrs Augie said she regretted that “very senior” lawyers were responsible for filing the applications.
She then awarded the costs of N10 million to be personally paid by Messrs Babalola and Olanipekun.
It also ordered that each of the lawyers must pay N10 million to each of the three respondents – the PDP, Diri and Ewhruojakpo.
Diri said he was donating the money to promote the work of God.
He said his victory at the Supreme Court was the handiwork of God, stating that the lawyers and the APC angered God by challenging what He (God) had ordained through the court.
“What has happened only proves the fact that there is God that rules in the affairs of men. His decisions are final and supreme. There is no supreme court greater than the supreme court of God,” Diri said.
“He gave that judgment through the learned justices and some people felt they had to question Him. And God spoke through that woman that delivered the judgment. According to her, who are you to question the supremacy of the Supreme Court?”
He thanked the court for its wisdom and courage in handling the matter.
He also expressed gratitude to the people for their support and prayers.
Meanwhile, Olanipekun, said he did nothing wrong by approaching the Supreme Court for a review of its earlier judgement.
He spoke during a thanksgiving service in commemoration of a multi-million naira ultramodern church auditorium that he donated to the St. Peters Anglican Church, Ikere-Ekiti, Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria.
“I have no regret, I can tell you, in the profession of law that I have practised since 1976 when I was called to the bar. I thank God for what he has made out of me. I see it as a ministry. Forget about what you read, I have done no wrong. Truth will come out,” Olanipekun said.
“I haven’t done any wrong. I would be one of the few lawyers in Nigeria, who would say that I tried as much as possible to practise the profession in the best tradition of the bar, the best tradition of the legal profession.
“At the end of the day, truth will come out. We thank God for everything, I won’t say more than that now.”
Olanipekun also spoke on the killing of Christians by terrorists in the northern part of Nigeria, advising the church not to be antagonistic neither should they act cowardly in handling of the vexatious matter.
“I could see the leadership of the church is not speaking up loud enough. Though, I believe we need prayers to overcome insurgency and terrorism, I know the Christians must be cautious about their actions; but they should not act cowardly.
“But I know that no matter how strong the evil forces are, they won’t overrun the power of God, because the power of God is not run through the power of man.”
The senior lawyer said the church auditorium he built and donated was part of his contributions to the spiritual growth of his people and for the development of tourism potential of the state.
“You are all aware of Saint Peter’s Basilica in Vatican City, Saint Paul Church in London and many others that are tourist centres. There is no tourist that will come to Ikere today that won’t ask of this church and that is the joy and benefit of it,” he said.