Retiring Supreme Court Justice Ibrahim Saulawa has urged politicians to stop giving gifts such as cows, rams and other valuables to judicial officers, warning that such gestures could undermine the integrity of the judiciary.

Saulawa made the call on Tuesday during a valedictory court session held by the Supreme Court to mark his retirement from the bench after reaching the mandatory retirement age of 70.

The retiring jurist said he had previously raised concerns about the practice with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and called for action to prevent it.

He described the practice as inappropriate and said politicians should not attempt to influence judges through gifts.

Saulawa also recounted an incident in which an influential individual offered him a new Peugeot vehicle before a case involving the person came before him.

According to the retired Justice, he rejected the vehicle and later resisted attempts by prominent individuals, including traditional rulers, to persuade him to accept the gift.

He said he eventually convicted the individual in the case, adding that judicial officers must remain committed to integrity, honesty and morality regardless of pressure or inducements.

Saulawa, who spent 44 years in the legal profession, also disclosed that he deliberately avoided some social gatherings during his judicial career to protect his principles.

The valedictory session was attended by six Senior Advocates of Nigeria and 13 other lawyers, a turnout that differed from previous ceremonies for retiring Supreme Court justices, which often attracted senior politicians and other prominent figures.

Representing the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria, Damien Dodo, SAN, expressed concern over the attendance, attributing it to what he described as a communication problem rather than a reflection of Saulawa’s record.

Dodo described the retiring Justice as a jurist who served the country with “granite integrity.”

Saulawa also reflected on the political crisis surrounding the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, during which he served as Chief Registrar of the Court of Appeal.

He recalled that conflicting court orders had emerged over the election, with an FCT High Court issuing interim orders restraining the then National Electoral Commission, led by Professor Humphrey Nwosu, from conducting the election and announcing its results.

According to him, some state high courts subsequently issued orders directing that the results be announced, creating a legal conflict.

Saulawa said the situation was linked to efforts by the military to influence judicial proceedings through what he described as “forum shopping.”

He recalled that, acting on the directive of the then President of the Court of Appeal, Justice M. Akanbi, he travelled from Lagos to Kaduna to take control of the appellate court’s registry.

He said he supervised the registration of appeals filed by the electoral commission and the issuance of relevant court processes to the parties involved.

Saulawa added that he later returned to Lagos and briefed Justice Akanbi, who subsequently convened an emergency meeting of presiding justices to address the crisis.

He claimed that efforts to influence the judiciary were resisted by him and Justice Akanbi before the then Head of State, General Ibrahim Babangida, annulled the election.

Saulawa said the judiciary at the time deserved recognition for resisting attempts to interfere with the legal process.

In her address, the CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, praised Saulawa for what she described as a career defined by service and adherence to judicial principles.

Kekere-Ekun recalled working with Saulawa when he was the Presiding Justice of the Port Harcourt Division of the Court of Appeal.

She cited an incident involving an attempt to place a personal benefit in the path of judicial duty, saying both of them maintained that the integrity of judicial office could not be compromised.

The CJN said the experience reinforced her respect for Saulawa and reflected the principles that had shaped their professional relationship.