Chief Judge redeploys Abang, Liman, nine federal judges

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NIGERIA: NO fewer than 11 Federal High Court (FHC) judges, including the controversial Justices Mohammed Liman and Okon Abang, have been redeployed by the Chief Judge of the FHC, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

Liman and Abang, both of the Port Harcourt and Abuja divisions, were recently accused of corruption by the Department of State Services after their homes were raided by the security arm.

The Chief Judge moved Liman to Enugu, Enugu State, while he ordered Abang to report at Asaba Division in Delta State.

Also redeployed are Justice S. Saidu, who was moved from Lagos to Port Harcourt; Justice A.O. Faji, who will now resume in Lagos from his Asaba base; Justice R. M. Aikawa, from Sokoto to Lagos; Justice B.O. Quadri, who will resume in Abuja from Port Harcourt; and Justice Mallong Hoommuk, who moved from Port Harcourt to Lafia, Nassarawa State.

Similarly, others who were moved are Justice K.K. Dagat, from Lagos to Kano; Justice Saleh Idrissa, Kano to Sokoto; Justice H.I.O. Oshomah, from Lafia to Port Harcourt; and Justice J.K. Omotosho, who moved from Kano to Port Harcourt.

Auta, in a circular issued last December 21 and addressed to all judges of Federal High Court, said that the redeployment followed the shortfall in the number of judges available to handle cases in some parts of the country.

He directed that all the redeployed judges must report at their duty posts by January 30.

“In view of the fact some divisions are currently short of judges following the recent developments in the court, it has become necessary to take urgent steps to fill in existing vacancies,” Auda said, adding: “Affected judges are expected to resume in their new divisions by January 30, 2017.”

He added: “The judges shall continue with the hearing of criminal cases currently before them, as well as at least two witnesses have testified.”