Suspects want judge removed in N8bn scam suit

The bankers and suspects in the trial of alleged N8 billion currency scam have called on the chief judge of the Federal High Court to reassign the matter to another judge, taking it away from Justice Olayinka Faji of the Federal High Court, Ibadan, Oyo State.
The trial was stalled on Friday as counsel to the second and third accused persons, Olalekan Ojo, told the court that it was doubtful his client would get fair hearing from Justice Faji.
Ojo informed the court that he had filed a motion, praying the court to stay further proceedings in the matter.
The counsel accused the judge of having already convicted his clients by his pronouncements in his earlier ruling on bail applications on June 19.
The counsel specifically made reference to Justice Faji’s pronouncements on the defendants on page 93-97 of the ruling.
Counsel to the first defendant, Olayinka Bolanle, aligned with Mr. Ojo and informed the court of his motion challenging the jurisdiction of the court to hear the matter.
Mr. Bolanle told the court that a motion was filed with regards to the “propriety to continue with the trial, to expressions made in the ruling to the first defendant.”
He added that the motion was to challenge the partisanship and jurisdiction of the court.
However, counsel to the fourth defendant, Dare Adebayo, submitted that his team was ready to continue with the trial.
The prosecuting counsel, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), had expressed his readiness to continue with the trial.
He told the court that one of his witnesses was in court.
However, Justice Faji stated that the matter could not continue because of the development, adding that he would have to wait for the determination of the appeal.
He adjourned to Wednesday July 1, 2015, for all counsel to file motions and counter motions in the charge preferred against some ex- Central Bank Staff and staff of some commercial banks.

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