A former governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, has faulted the decision of a Federal High Court in Yola to transfer the case he instituted over his impeachment by the Adamawa State House of Assembly to Abuja.
The transfer was ordered by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Ibrahim Auta.
Mr. Nyako, who made the complaint through his spokesperson, Ahmad Sajo, said the action of the court was of great disservice to the rule of law.
Mr. Sajo noted that during the last sitting of the Yola High Court presided over by Justice Bilkisu Bello-Aliyu, on February 3, judgment in the suit was fixed for February 12.
“The judge had fixed February 12 for ruling after the conclusion and written addresses by various counsels were adopted. All of a sudden, we got to the court and stayed up to 2:00 p.m. without the judge making an appearance,” he said.
He expressed surprise over the transfer of the case based on a complaint made by some parties after all hearings and calling of witnesses were completed.
He said the whole process pointed to the desperation of “some people” to subvert justice against Mr. Nyako at all cost. He added that the development was a big minus to the judiciary as an institution.
When contacted the registrar of the court, Murtala Ibrahim, declined commenting on the issue.
However, an official memo obtained from the Yola High Court indicated that the case was transferred to the Chief Judge, Federal High Court Abuja.
The memo which bears the subject “Forwarding of Case File in Suit No: FHC/YL/CS/11/2014” dated February 6 directed the Resident Judge of Yola Division to forward the case file to the office of Chief Judge of Federal High Court of Nigeria.
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