A High
Court judge who granted an order that appeared to halt the trial of the Senate
President, Bukola Saraki, over alleged corruption, has stood down from the
case.
Justice
Ahmed Mohammed of the Federal High Court excused himself from the case on
Wednesday, and transferred the matter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud
Mohammed, for reassigning, the News Agency of Nigeria reported.
He
said he took the decision due to “negative reports”, NAN reported.
Mr.
Saraki is facing a 13-count charge of alleged corruption and false declaration
of assets before the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
He
denies wrongdoing and says the case was instigated by those angry he became the
Senate president.
After
the Code of Conduct Bureau filed charges against him two weeks ago, Mr. Saraki
approached a high court to block the trial.
Justice
Mohammed summoned the chairman of Code of Conduct Bureau and officials of the
Ministry of Justice to explain why he should not order the stoppage of the
trial.
The
judge’s injunction was rejected by the Code of Conduct Tribunal which argued
that the two courts were of coordinate jurisdiction.
Mr.
Saraki later appeared before the tribunal after the Court of Appeal dismissed
his appeal, and asked him to face trial.
On
Tuesday, Mr. Saraki was given a vote of confidence by 83 senators.
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