Judge Recuses Self From Sowore's Case

 

 

A judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, Ahmed Mohammed, has recused himself from Omoyele Sowore's case after hearing Sowore's decision to enforce his rights.

The judge declared that he had been accused of a discretionary act like a bribe from Sahara Reporters, a news platform owned by Sowore.

“When the registrar called me and said this file was assigned to me and she named the parties, I asked if the chief judge was around but he already travelled for Christmas,” the judge said.

“My conscience is telling me I should not take the matter but subject to what you would say or think.

“My grounds is nothing other than the applicant is the publisher of Sahara Reporters. Sometime in 2016, the same outlet accused me of taking money in a matter to compromise the course of justice and I returned the case file to the then CJ.

“Again, this year, around June, the same paper accused me of taking money in the same case. so, I had to hands-off again and it was reassigned to Honourable Justice Abang,” he said.

 “The case may go either way. It may succeed, it may fail. If my orders are not favourable to him, it would be seen as vengeful, or, while proceedings are ongoing, applicants will be apprehensive about what judgment I would give.”

Mr. Falana, Sowore's counsel said that he had no knowledge of the allegation, and made reference to the case of MKO Abiola Vs FRN in the year 1995 where eight justices were disqualified from hearing any of the appeals that arose from Abiola's case.

He also said that the newspaper that Abiola had served as a publisher at, Concord Newspaper, had published a story regarding the eight disqualified justices that resulted in a libel suit filed against the newspaper.

“We are of the humble view that the case be sent back to the CJ for reassignment,” he said.

In his ruling, Judge Mohammed said, “Justice is rooted in confidence; that is to say, none of the parties should have any fear that he will not get justice before any particular court. It is my belief that the only fair, just and proper cause to take in the circumstance of this case is to recuse myself from taking this matter.”

“Consequent on the above development, this matter is remitted back to the chief judge for reassignment to another judge.”

Sowore was rearrested by the Department of State Services (DSS) despite having a standing bail order.