Justice Babatunde Quadri of the Federal High Court Abuja on Friday refused an application by former governor of Jigawa state, Sule Lamido that his trial be returned to the former trial judge, Justice Adeniyi Ademola.

Justice Quadri held that it would better serve the interest of justice and public peace not to return the case to Justice Ademola.

Justice Ademola had gone on suspension while he was being prosecuted along with his wife, but were later discharged.

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, had re-assigned the case to Justice Quadri when Justice Ademola was on suspension as a result of the joint trial.

Lamido’s lawyer however requested the Chief Judge to return the case to Justice Ademola.

He said it would be injustice to start the trial all over again since he already called 18 witnesses before Justice Ademola.

The Chief Judge upon considering both Agi’s and EFCC’s counter-requests insisted that the case should remain in Justice Quadri’s court.

Azeez