Again, Another Judge Withdraws From Okorocha’s Certificate Of Return Suit

Uche EmmanuelApril 23, 2019

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Another judge reportedly withdrew from Rochas Okorocha’s certificate of return suit, filed against the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC.

The second Judge withdrew from Okorocha’s certificate of return suit, barely a week after the first judge, Justice Taiwo Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja withdrew from the case.

It was gathered that after Justice Taiwo withdrew from the case on April 10, it was reassigned to Justice Okon Abang also of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Punch reported that Justice Abang was said to have on April 11 fixed April 18 for hearing in the suit.

However on the date fixed for the hearing, Justice Abang announced his decision to withdraw from the suit. According to him, he withdrew from the case after Okorocha’s letter to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Abdu-Kafarati, asking for the transfer of the case to another judge.

Okorocha disclosed that he wanted the case transferred, because his opponents in the case were jubilating that Justice Abang would dismiss the case.

Recall that INEC had refused to certificate of return to Okorocha on the basis that the Returning Officer for the February 23 election, Prof Francis Ibeawuchi, said he declared the outgoing governor winner of the senatorial election under duress.