The ruling All Progressives Congress (APC) National Legal Adviser, Muiz Banire (SAN), has stepped aside to answer questions concerning his alleged bribing of a judge at the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

In a letter dated November 8, 2016 which he reportedly addressed to the party leadership, he said he was not only shocked but “extremely disturbed” by media reports claiming he paid a judge N500,000.

Banire insisted he had voluntarily submitted himself to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for questioning.Several attempts by The Guardian to get Banire to confirm the authorship of the letter yesterday in Abuja, however, failed as his mobile phone was switched off, and text message was not replied.

He said: “As surreal as I find the allegation to be, I will not stand by and watch it negatively affect the name of the party.

“Mr. Chairman, sir, it is in view of the above circumstances that I wish to temporarily step aside from my position as the national legal adviser of our party until completion and final outcome of the EFCC investigation involving my person.”

His decision to step down came less than 24 hours after he issued a statement denying the bribery allegations. He claimed the money he offered the judge was a gift and not a bribe. (TG)

•Photo shows Muiz Banire (SAN).