Drama Ensues As Application To Recuse Justice Amobeda From LG’s Case Sparks Heated Exchange
By Ahmad Tijjani Abdul
KANO – A dramatic scene unfolded in a Federal High Court in Kano on Friday, following an application by the Kano State Government calling on Justice Simon Amobeda to recuse himself from a case related to the recent local government elections over perceived bias.
The All Progressives Congress (APC) and other plaintiffs had filed an application seeking a declaration that there were no democratically elected council chairmen in Kano.
In the originating summons with suit No: FHC/KN/CS/425/2024, the plaintiffs are asking the court to stop Federal government, Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Accountant General among others from releasing statutory funds accruable to the 44 local government councils in the state.
However, Kano State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barrister Isa Haruna Dederi, asked Justice Amobeda to recuse himself from the case due to his perceived bias.
The AG alleged that Justice Amobeda has exhibited grudges against the state government and its agencies since a petition was filed before the National Judicial Commission (NJC) against him.
The petition alleged abuse of privileges and indiscriminate granting of ex-parte applications. According to the AG, Justice Amobeda has taken the petition personally and has openly exhibited fury, persistently lamenting to the hearing of all.
The state government claimed that it noticed an unusual concentration of cases involving politically exposed persons belonging to opposition political parties against the state government before Justice Amobeda. This, they alleged, indicates a sort of affinity between the judge and an opposition political party.
Justice Amobeda reacted emotionally to the application, insisting that he does not belong “to the other side” as alleged but rather to the side of justice.
He maintained that only “lazy lawyers make applications for recusal,” while accusing lawyers in Kano state of making “despicable things” about him.
However, he revealed that he was not against the Kano state government but “against the impunity of the state.” He added that he had delivered judgments that favored the government in some cases.
Senior Advocates Chief Adegboye Awomolo and Chief Nureini Jimoh intervened to calm the situation, pleading with Justice Amobeda to temper his emotions.
Chief Adegboye Awomolo on his part called the Judge to temper his emotions. The learned silk who also lead one of the respondents legal team said “I have seen the level of emotion in your lordship”, while pleading for circumspect.
Chief Nureini Jimoh SAN, while responding to Judge’s expression of anger said, “Simon Amobeda can be angry, but Honourable Justice Simon Anobeda should not be angry.”
The application for recusal could not be heard due to lack of service on other parties, subsequently, Justice Amobeda adjourned the matter till January 21, 2025, for the hearing of the motion for recuse.