Judge withdraws from Abba Moro’s trial, Gives no reason

Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday withdrew from the trial of former Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the Federal Government had dragged Moro to court on allegations related to corruption.
Moro and three others are facing an 11-count charge bordering on their roles in the 2014 Nigerian Immigration Service recruitment where some applicants lost their lives and several others were wounded.
At the resumed hearing, Chikere told parties in the matter that she was returning the case file to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, for reassignment to another judge.
She, however, gave no reason for her decision.
Moro’s Counsel, Akinolu Kehinde, who spoke with newsmen shortly after, said that there was nothing sinister about judges transferring cases.
According to him, it is a normal thing in judicial parlance.
“We were ready for hearing but learned that the trial judge, for personal reasons, is transferring the case back to the chief judge for reassignment and we must respect that.
“I am saying this so that there won’t be any need for speculation; the matter has simply been sent to the chief judge for reassignment.
“We are not reading any ulterior motives into it all as this happens from time to time,’’ Kehinde said. (NAN)