By Kenneth Atavti
The Federal High Court has debunked a report that one of its judges defied a transfer order that was handed to him since June by the Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho.
The court, in a statement that was signed by its Director, Information/ICT, Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, said there was no truth in the publication that alleged that the affected judge refused to leave Kano for Kogi state.
Explaining the circumstances surrounding the recent transfers of judges, the statement, read: “The attention of the Federal High Court of Nigeria has been drawn to a recent report published by an online platform, Sahara Reporters titled: Justice Amobeda Defies Federal High Court Chief Judge’s transfer since June, Refuses to leave Kano for Kogi’.
“Contrary to the Sahara report, Justice Simon Amobeda remains one of the Judges serving in the Kano Division of the Court. He did not defy the posting made by the Chief Judge.
“It is instructive to state for the records, that the recent posting of Judges to various Divisions of the Federal High Court was communicated in a circular from the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, the Hon. Justice John Tsoho on July 12, 2024.
“In the circular, Justice Simon A. Amobeda was initially posted to Lokoja, Kogi State.
“However, a subsequent circular dated August 9, 2024, instructed that Justice Amobeda, alongside six other Judges, should remain at their respective Judicial Divisions.
“The reversal by the Chief Judge of the initial posting was as a result of certain administrative exigencies.
“Other Judges affected were: Hon. Justice M. G. Umar from Enugu to Kano; Justice R.N Aikawa from Kaduna to Katsina; Justice S.M Shuaibu; Evelyn N. Anyadike from Awka to Warri and Hon. Justice Isa Adama Dashen, from Yenagoa to Osogbo, which were equally reversed.
“Hon. Justice Tsoho as head of the Federal High Court of Nigeria possesses the authority to reverse administrative decisions regarding judicial postings, especially when continuity in case management is crucial to the administration of justice.
“This clarification has become necessary to clear the alleged reportage surrounding Justice Amobeda’s status and to also demonstrate transparency and accountability in the process of judicial postings.
“We therefore urged members of the public to disregard that report by the online platform.
“One of the most significant responsibilities of journalists is to verify the accuracy of their reports and communicate the same.
“We therefore advise Sahara Reporters to make it a practice of doing the same,” the court declared.