Federal High Court Denies Report Of Judge Defying Transfer Order

The Federal High Court has refuted claims that one of its judges ignored a transfer order issued by its Chief Judge, Justice John Tsoho, in June.

In a statement signed by Dr. Catherine Oby Christopher, the court’s Director of Information/ICT, the judiciary clarified that there is no truth to reports alleging that a judge assigned to move from Kano to Kogi State refused to comply with the directive.

The statement emphasized the court’s commitment to transparency and accountability, assuring the public that all transfer orders are strictly adhered to by its judges.

This clarification comes after recent reports alleged defiance of judicial orders, a claim the Federal High Court now categorically denies.

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 then 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 same.

“We therefore advise Sahara Reporters to make it a practice of doing the same.”