Judge recuses self from trial of ex-Bayelsa security adviser accused of rape

A judge of the Bayelsa State High Court sitting in Yenagoa, Ineikade Eradiri, has withdrawn from the ongoing trial of a former Bayelsa Security Adviser, Perekeme Kpodoh.

Justice Eradiri recused himself following allegations of bias and judicial misconduct levelled against him before the National Judicial Council (NJC).

The former security adviser is standing trial for the rape of a 26-year-old (name withheld), who claimed she was invited by the accused to his office in the hotel at about 8pm, after which he locked the doors and forcefully overpowered and raped her.

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Kpodoh had filed a petition before the NJC alleging that Justice Eradiri was guilty of judicial rascality by ignoring an application on stay of proceeding at the Court of Appeal.

He further alleged that the conduct of the judge in the alleged rape case was a clear case of conspiracy with the state government to indict him by all mean for political gains.

In the two-page petition Kpodoh, prayed the NJC to level appropriate action against the judge, insisting that Eradiri was part of conspiracy to convict him.

At the resumed hearing Monday, Eradiri, who was scheduled to deliver ruling on an application to disqualify himself from the case announced his withdrawal from the case.

He also said the case file would be returned to the Chief Judge of the State for necessary actions.

Eradiri said he could no longer continue with the case because the issue was already in the public domain and under investigation.

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