Judge Declines to Withdraw from Lawsuit Aimed at Halting Funds to Rivers LGAs

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court in Abuja announced on Friday that she will not recuse herself from a lawsuit aimed at preventing fund allocations to local governments in Rivers State.

The judge, who previously issued four rulings unfavorable to some defendants in the case, asserted that she has no bias toward any party involved.

The lawsuit was initiated by the Rivers State House of Assembly and its factional Speaker, Martin Amaewhule, who are seeking to withhold funds designated for local governments in the state. Joseph Daudu, SAN, is representing them in court.

In response, the Accountant General of Rivers State filed a motion claiming that Justice Abdulmalik displayed bias against the state government and other defendants. Tuturu Edem, SAN, who represented the Accountant General, criticized the judge’s conduct of the proceedings as unusual and difficult to comprehend. This stance was supported by the Central Bank of Nigeria and other defendants.

In her ruling, Justice Abdulmalik stated she would not step down, maintaining that the allegations of bias were unfounded. She also rejected requests to decline jurisdiction and to transfer the case to the Federal High Court in Port Harcourt.

The judge clarified that the Federal High Court has nationwide territorial jurisdiction, and the Chief Judge holds the authority to assign cases to any judge of their choice. She ordered that hearings on both the main case and preliminary objections should proceed.