Justice of Gombe State High Court, Fatima Musa, on Wednesday recused herself from an ongoing land dispute citing personal interests.
The lawsuit was filed before the high court, by Emir General Integrated Limited alleging that a construction company contracted by the state government, ‘Grandscope Construction Limited,’ trespassed on its land around the recently commissioned Dankwambo Mega Motorpark in Gombe metropolis.
While preparing for the proper hearing of the dispute, the presiding judge, Justice Fatima Musa, had previously ordered the suspension of works at the site.
“Due to personal reasons, I’m not willing to continue to handle the case but i will return it to the Chief judge to reassign,” the judge said.
Counsel to the plaintiff, Barrister Sulaiman Abdurrahim, expressed hope that his client will get the deserved judgement as the case gets reassigned.
“As a lawyer, when a judge says due to personal reasons he is not ready to continue, you can’t question why because he has already said due to personal reasons. We are ready to continue with this case, the defendants continue to work on the disputed land. We will abide by her decision,” he added.
Counsel to first defendant Daniel Tsaro, said the judge did no wrong for recusing herself the case.
“She felt she could not continue hearing this case for reasons we were not told and this is not the first time courts are doing this. There are many reasons that could cause this, whatever it’s I believe it’s in the interest of justice.
