A Federal High Court judge handling the corruption case brought against former Interior Minister, Abba Moro, has withdrawn from the matter.
Moro and three others, including the ministry’s permanent secretary, Anastasia Daniel-Nwaobia, a deputy director, as well as a company, Drexel Tech Nigeria Ltd, are facing an 11-count charge of fraud levelled against them by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC.
The defendants are accused of defrauding 676, 675 Nigerian applicants of N676,675,000 during an Immigration Service recruitment that resulted in the loss of at least 12 lives.
The judge, Anwuli Chikere, told the court at the opening of session on Wednesday that her reason for stepping down on the matter, was “personal”.
“I am sending the file back to the Chief Judge for re-assignment for personal reasons,” said Mrs. Chikere, who noted that the parties could continue, when the case is resigned.
The prosecution counsel, Aliyu Yusuf, had told the court of his client’s decision to amend the charges against Moro, before the judge announced her decision to step down from the matter.
The amendment of the charge was suspended till a later date.
