Second judge withdraws from NBA President’s N1.4bn case

Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court, Lagos yesterday withdrew from the trial of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Paul Usoro (SAN).

Usoro is facing N1.4 billion fraud charges.

Usoro was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan on a 10-count charge.

He pleaded not guilty.

Justice Hassan later withdrew from the case.

Others charged with Usoro are Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General Mfon Udomah; Attorney-General Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe, said to be at large.

Also named in the charge is Governor Emmanuel Udom, “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution”.

Usoro was to be re-arraigned before Justice Obiozor, but the judge recused himself for personal reasons.

Read also: Salesman accused of stealing pure water

“For personal reasons, I hereby disqualify myself from handling the case.

“I hereby return this file to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge,” Justice Obiozor ruled.

Prior to Usoro’s arraignment before Justice Hassan on December 18, his lead counsel, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), informed the judge of a December 17 letter to the Chief Judge seeking the transfer of the case to another judge for an undisclosed reason.

Olanipekun said Usoro would want the case be transferred to either Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital, or Abuja.

He said if the case would remain in Lagos, it should be transferred to “any other honourable judge apart from my noble Lord”.

The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleged that the defendants committed the offence on May 14, 2016.

The commission alleged that Usoro conspired with others to commit the offence within the jurisdiction of the court.