Justice Mohammed Idris on Wednesday made a U-turn on the case of former governor of Abia State, Dr. Orji Uzor Kalu, Igbere TV reports.
Igbere TV recalls that Justice Idris before now insisted that Kalu must be brought to the court despite the fact that the former governor travelled to Germany for surgery last year.
Speaking to journalists, Justice Idris said what is the making him to hand off on Kalu’s case is because the Court of Appeal President Zainab Bulkachuwa did not give him a fiat to continue to adjudicate on the trial of former Abia State Governor Dr Orji Uzor Kalu.
The judge was handling the 12-year-old case at the Federal High Court in Lagos before he was elevated to appellate court last June 13.
While he was given a fiat to conclude the cases of former Oyo State Governor Rashidi Ladoja and former President Goodluck Jonathan’s ex-aide Dr Waripamo-Owei Dudafa, he said he got no such authorisation for Kalu’s.
Justice Idris therefore adjourned Kalu’s trial indefinitely.
Addressing parties, Justice Idris said: “This matter was listed on Wednesday because it was adjourned till today for defence. What has happened is that the last fiat that was issued by the President of the Court of Appeal expired at the end of November 2018.
“On the 10th of January, 2019, I received fresh fiat in respect of some matters that I have started and some new matters but this particular case was not mentioned.
“For this reason, I have a strong feeling that I shouldn’t continue with proceedings in this case unless there is a further directive from the President of the Court of Appeal. I should not proceed further; otherwise I might be acting without authority.
“In the circumstance, I am of the view that further proceedings shouldn’t go on until I receive further information by way of fresh fiat from the Court of Appeal President. As soon as I receive further instruction, hearing notice will be sent to counsel.”
Igbere TV will continue to monitor the case and bring you more updates.
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