Justice Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court sitting in Abuja has recused himself from the trial of the activist and co-convener of the botched revolution now campaign, Omoleye Sowore
According to the judge, his decision to remit the case file to the chief judge of the federal high court followed the accusations made against him by an online media – Sahara Reporters – which the defendant Sowore is the publisher.
The embattled activist returned to the courtroom on Monday, accosted yet again by security operatives after his brief release by the DSS
At the last hearing, the judge had summoned the attorney-general of the federation, the director-general of the department of state services, DSS and the counsel for Sowore Femi Falana to appear before him over the continued detention of the activist.
This followed Sowore’s courtroom re-arrest incident that has attracted condemnation in different quarters.
In a bid to douse the tension, the attorney-general of the Federation, Abubakar Malami took over the case file from the DSS.
Also Read: DSS on Sowore “No one has turned up to take delivery of him”
The case, now before the vacation judge Ahmed Mohammed got stalled after the judge recused himself, transferring the case file back to the chief judge
According to Justice Mohammed, Sowore’s Sahara Reporters media outlet had in 2016 and June 2019 accused him of collecting money in a matter which justice Abang was reassigned to rule on the matter.
He further said that he will never be free with his conscience if he presides over the matter concerning the publisher of such media outlet as applicant might be apprehensive over the judgement made by him.
He said since justice is delivered based on confidence then it will be fair to recuse himself from the case.
Counsel for Sowore, Femi Falana said he was not aware of the publication referred to by the judge.
The defence counsel eventually agreed with the judge that the case file be sent to the chief judge for re-assignment particularly because the integrity of the court was challenged following the alleged armed invasion of the court by the DSS in an attempt to re-arrest Sowore on the 6th of December.
Counsel representing the AGF and the DSS DG, however, did not object to the decision of the judge to recuse himself from the case
A new date will be communicated to the parties after the case has been reassigned
