Judge Quits Abba Moro’s Case

· As court adjourns trial of Metuh till May 17 and 18

By Alex Enumah in Abuja

Justice Anwuli Chikere of the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Wednesday announced that she is no longer handling the trial of former Minister of Interior, Comrade Abba Moro, who is currently being tried by the Federal Government on corruption-related offences.

The judge told parties in the matter on Wednesday 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 gave no reason for the withdrawal.

Consequently, counsel in the matter left the court one after the other when the reality dawned on them that the trial would not go on after all.

Addressing journalists shortly after the proceedings, counsel to the first defendant, Akinolu Kehinde, said, “We are ready for hearing but the learned trial judge for personal reasons is transferring the case back to the chief judge for reassignment and we respect that. I am saying this so that there won’t be any need for speculation. Just take it that the matter has been sent to the chief judge for reassignment.

“We are not reading any ulterior motive in it at all as this happens from time to time”.

The Federal Government had arraigned Moro and four others on an 11-count charge of advance fee fraud, money laundering and breach of Procurement Act.