• Gov Ikpeazu
Following a petition written to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Abuja, by a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Abia State governorship aspirant in the December 8, 2014 party primaries, Sir Friday Nwosu, over alleged bias by Justice F.A. Olubanjo the presiding judge of the Federal High Court, in the state, in a matter of tax forgery suit he filed against Governor Okezie Ikpeazu, the judge has withdrawn from the case.
Nwosu, in his petition to the Chief Judge accused Justice Olubanjo of frustrating an accelerated hearing of the matter and granting undue advantage to his opponent.
The petition reads, “His Lordship, Justice F.A. Olubanjo has since April 21, 2015 been conducting my case in Suit No. FHC/UM/CS/64/2015 in manners and circumstances that depict that the 3rd Defendant, Dr. Okezie kpeazu (incumbent Governor of Abia State) and his lawyer must be indulged by the Judge to delay or frustrate the hearing and determination of my suit till the term of office I am seeking to occupy expires in favour of the 3rd Defendant. This matter was adjourned from April 21, 2015 to May 20, 2015 and on the May 20, 2015, all documents had been filed and exchanged and matter adjourned to June 8, 2015 for adoption but on the June 8, 2015, Justice F.A. Olubanjo did not sit but the clerk of the court gave June 26, 2015 as the new date as directed by his lordship, the Judge.
“Again on the October 7, 2015 when the matter resumed in court, Justice F.A. Olubanjo, instead of taking the adoption of written addresses of counsel to all the parties which were all filed and exchanged on or before May 20, 2015 rather adjourned the matter to October 19, 2015 for no reason.”
“It is my humble belief that for Hon. Justice F.A. Olubanjo to adjourn my matter from 8/6/2015 to 26/6/2015, to 7/10/2015 and to 19/10/2015 for no reason except perhaps only to enable the 3rd Defendant to bring a separate application to transfer the matter to the Abia State High Court is to say the least the highest height of partiality and over indulgence.”
However, when the court convened on the next adjourned date, Monday, Oct. 19, 2015, the judge announced she was withdrawing from hearing the case based on the petition.
Justice Olubanjo, while denying any misconduct, kept saying in court, 'my hands are clean O! My hands are clean O!' before ruling that the matter would be remitted to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, for re-assignment to another Judge.