A report released by Saharareporters has revealed how Nigerian Senator Dino Melaye allegedly compromised Justice Akon Ikpeme, the tribunal judge who handled his election case in 2015.
In an audiotape recording obtained by SaharaReporters, the judge is overheard asking Mr Melaye to give her a bribe in US dollars.
She also asks Mr Melaye to assist a person repeatedly referred to as her “daughter” secure a job at the Cross Rivers State Ministry of Health.
Investigations by the online newspaper further revealed that Justice Ikpeme is married to a Cross River medical doctor. She is reportedly number 3 in the hierarchy of the Cross Rivers judiciary.
The news agency, however, could not confirm if the Judge’s daughter got a job with the Cross Rivers state government, but in the second call between her and Mr Melaye, the Senator bragged that he had already spoken to the state governor, Prof. Ben Ayade.
It is noteworthy to recall that in 2016, Mrs Ikpeme presided over the court case which saw her dismiss a petition by Smart Adeyemi, Mr. Melaye’s opponent, in accordance to the plot to let Mr. Melaye off the hook at the election tribunal.
Listen to both conversations below,