Emotions were high at Courtroom No. 3 of the Federal High Court, Kano Division, on Friday, following Justice Simon Amobeda’s reaction to an application filed before him, asking him to recuse himself from hearing a case related to the local government election held in Kano last October.
It took the intervention of senior lawyers Ademoyega Awomolo, SAN, John Bayyshea, SAN, and Nureini Jimoh, SAN, to calm frayed nerves in the court.
Justice Amobeda was particularly annoyed at the application for recusal filed by Usman Umar Fari, the lead lawyer of the legal team of Kano State Government.
Visibly angry, the judge said “lawyers in Kano State have been saying “despicable things” about myself,” adding, “that only lazy lawyers make applications for recusal.”
He said he was not against the Kano State Government, but “against the impunity of the state”, adding that he had delivered judgements that favoured the government in some cases.
While intervening to calm the judge, Awomolo said “I have seen the level of emotion in your lordship,” while pleading for circumspect.”
While responding to the judge’s expression of anger, Jimoh said “Simon Amobeda can be angry, but Honourable Justice Simon Amobeda should not be angry.”
Meanwhile, the application for recusal could not be heard due to lack of service on other parties, but Justice Amobeda said he would hear it and decide it appropriately.
“The hearing of the motion for recusal, and if possible, other applications, would be taken on 21st of January, 2025”, he said as he adjourned the case.
