Judge Withdraws from Trial of Eight Boko Haram Suspects

Justice John Tsoho of the Federal High Court in Abuja yesterday disqualified self from the trial of eight Boko Haram suspects following allegation of bias levied against him by the defendants.

The defendants are Mohammed Usman (aka Khalid Albarnawi), described as leader of a Boko Haram splinter group, Mohammed Bashir Saleh, Umar Bello (aka Abu Azzan); Mohammed Salisu (Datti); Yakubu Nuhu (aka Bello Maishayi), Usman Abubakar (Mugiratu) and a lady, Halima Aliyu.

Justice Tsoho, in disqualifying himself from the trial, held that the issue of bias or lack of confidence in a trial court was not something to be taken lightly.

The 1st, 4th, 5th, 6th, 7th and 8th defendants through their counsel had requested that their trial be transferred from Justice Tsoho to another court, accusing him of bias.

They are also asking for the transfer of their custody from the Department of State Service (DSS) to the prisons, alleging deteriorating health and threat to their lives at the DSS

In delivering ruling on the oral application made by Samuel Attah, counsel to the 1st, 4th and 6th defendants, Justice Tsoho recalled how prosecuting counsel, Shuaibu Labaran had on resumption of trial urged the court not to entertain any application or move that may likely delay the day’s proceedings, but had to stand down the case for 15 minutes to allow the defendants meet with their lawyers when they insisted they have something to tell the court.

However, when the court reconvened later, counsel to the 1st, 4th and 6th defendants told the court that his clients in their brief meeting said they no longer have the confidence that they will get justice in the court, following a reversal by the court of its earlier ruling on the place of custody of the suspects pending the determination of their trial.

Justice Tsoho who noted that the defendants did not appeal the ruling then, however said the defendants’ message was clear enough, adding that “the court will not ignore their grievances.”

He said even when their counsel hinted them that the trial will start all over again if it was transferred to another court, the defendants insisted they prefer their lives to any speedy trial of the case.

Justice Tsoho said since it has become obvious that the issue of their being transferred from DSS custody to prison was no longer important, it was not necessary for them to make a formal application seeking the transfer of their trial to another court.

“This court disqualies itself, accordingly the case file is hereby transferred to the acting Chief Judge for reassignment”, he said.

Earlier, counsel to the 1st, 4th and 6th defendants, Samuel Attah, told the court that his client are no longer safe in the custody of the DSS owing to alleged inhuman treatment meted out to them.

While they are therefore seeking transfer of their custody from DSS to prison, they also sought transfer of the case to another court accusing the trial judge of bias.

Also, counsel to the 5th and 7th and 8th defendants, Elisha Oloruntoba and Aliyah Momoh respectively, aligned themselves with the position of Attah.

However, counsel to the second and third defendants objected to the transfer of the trial to another court reinstating their confidence in the court.

Nathaniel Adekunle, counsel to the third defendant, said: “So far, the 3rd defendant has unwavering confidence in the court. He wants justice and he wants speedy trial.”

“If the court would grant the application to transfer the case, we ask for a separate trial so that his own would be tried by this court,” he added.

Also, prosecuting counsel vehemently opposed the application claiming it was a ploy to frustrate the trial. Labaran wondered why it took them four months to react to a valid court order which assigned their place of custody with the DSS.

He disclosed that during the 15 minutes granted the defendants to consult with their counsel, he also did same with the authorities and discovered that the application was a premeditated action going by the behaviors of defendants particularly the first defendant at the DSS earlier on.