Former Kogi State senator, Dino Melaye has denied making any statement about the health condition of Federal High Court Judge, Justice Peter Lifu, after elder statesman Buba Galadima linked him to comments on the matter.

Melaye, who described the claim as unfortunate, said he was surprised that Galadima mentioned his name while discussing reports about the judge’s health.

“I was extremely shocked to hear that Alhaji Buba Galadima mentioned that I made comments on Justice Lifu’s health,” Melaye said in a post on his X account.

He added, “It is most unfortunate because I never made any comment on Justice Lifu’s health.”

Melaye also took a swipe at Galadima, attributing the claim to his age.

“Old age must be catching up with Buba Galadima. Now I know you can’t cure old age, you can only manage it,” he wrote.

Galadima had criticised members of the African Democratic Congress (ADC) over their reported reaction to the health situation involving Justice Lifu, who recently delivered a judgment involving the party.

Speaking during an interview on African Independent Television (AIT) on Wednesday, Galadima referred to Melaye while discussing the judgment and reports that the ADC had obtained a certified true copy of the court decision.

Galadima, a chieftain of the New Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), questioned the reaction of some ADC members to reports that Justice Lifu had become ill and might be taken abroad for medical treatment.

He argued that if the judge travelled outside Nigeria, the situation could create difficulties for the party in pursuing an appeal.

According to him, proceedings arising from a judgment delivered by the judge could not be signed by another judge while he was away, potentially delaying further legal proceedings until his return.

Galadima therefore accused the ADC members of failing to consider the possible legal implications of the judge’s reported illness and said their reaction showed a lack of understanding of the judicial process.

He also criticised Nigerian politicians generally, accusing them of failing to properly consider the consequences of political and legal developments.

Melaye’s response, however, made clear that he rejected any suggestion that he had commented on Justice Lifu’s health, distancing himself from the remarks attributed to him during the AIT interview.