A Kwara State High Court in Ilorin on Wednesday dismissed an application by the family of late Kwara politician Olusola Saraki asking Justice Abiodun Adebara to withdraw from a land dispute case, alleging bias and impartiality.
The state government had taken over a land popularly known as Ile Arugbo from Asa Investments Ltd, a company run by the Saraki family, claiming it had no right of occupancy or proof of payment to the owner, the state government.
The Saraki family then filed charges in court against the state government.
The claimants’ lead counsel Akin Onigbinde had also urged Justice Adebara to recuse himself from the case.
“It is not an application against the person of the honourable court. The concern is what ordinary members of the public will feel in this circumstance. There is no ruling yet. We give the court the freedom/latitude to decide according to its discretion,” Mr Onigbinde said.
But Justice Adebara, in a ruling for about two hours, said that “allegation against a judge is a very serious and grievous one. A case of impartiality should not be made against a judge unless there is sufficient ground to do so.
“The allegation of a likely bias against this court is misplaced vague and suspicious. I therefore that the allegation lacks merit and it is accordingly dismissed.”
The case has been adjourned to February 1 and 2, 2021 for hearing.
