Justice Chuka Obiozor of the Federal High Court in Lagos on Thursday withdrew from the trial of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) President Paul Usoro (SAN), charged with N1.4 billion fraud.
Usoro was first arraigned before Justice Muslim Hassan on a 10-count charge. He pleaded not guilty. Justice Hassan later withdrew from the case.
Others charged with Usoro are Akwa Ibom State Commissioner for Finance, Nsikan Nkan; Accountant-General, Mfon Udomah; Attorney-General, Uwemedimo Nwoko and Margaret Ukpe, said to be at large. Also named in the charge is Governor Emmanuel Udom, “currently constitutionally immune from prosecution.”
Usoro was to be re-arraigned before Justice Obiozor, but the judge recused himself for personal reasons. “For personal reasons, I hereby disqualify myself from handling the case. I hereby return this file to the Chief Judge for reassignment to another judge,” Justice Obiozor ruled.
