The leadership of the All Progressives Congress has reportedly rejected the resignation of its legal adviser, Muiz Banire over his link with the bribery of judges.
Muiz Adeyemi Banire
An official of the party who declined to be named because he is not permitted to speak on the matter has confirmed to Premium Times that the offer was rejected.
“It is true, I have even seen a copy of the (rejection) letter today, the NWC has rejected the Legal Adviser’s request,” he said
Mr. Banire had three weeks ago written to the national chairman of the APC, John Odigie-Oyegun, offering to step down from his office as National Legal Adviser following an investigation launched by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The anti-graft agency is investigating how N500,000 found in the account of a judge under scrutiny was traced to Mr. Banire.
Mr. Banire reportedly informed the EFCC that the money was a gift to the judge as contribution for the burial expenses of the latter’s late mother about three years ago.
Mr. Banire and the judge had been friends since their university and law school days, sources a correspondent.
In the letter rejecting Mr. Banire’s resignation, Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said the National Working Committee, NWC, rejected the offer.
Mr. Odigie-Oyegun said the NWC was proud of Mr. Banire’s conduct for his offer to step down, but added that “after intense discussion, the NWC unanimously decided not to accept your offer to step aside as the National Legal Adviser.”