No individual can manipulate me, Kaduna judge boasts

Justice Dakas Sami of Kaduna State High Court 14 has declared that nobody can influence his rulings.

Speaking yesterday in Kaduna after adjourning sine die in a case involving former military administrator of Kebbi State, Col. John Ubah (rtd), who had accused the state government of undue interference, said the oath he took to be fair to all parties was between him and God.

The plaintiff’s lawyer, Christopher Kashmu, had on 2017, instituted a legal action against the defendant, Colonel John Ubah (rtd), former Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) Secretary General for defamation of character, demanding for apology and claiming N10 million. 

Earlier, Colonel Ubah told the court that the Chief Judge of Kaduna State, Justice Tanimu Zailani, had interfered with his case and as such, could not get justice.

Ubah, in a statement presented to the court, recalled: “Based on my previous experience in court 10 and 13, the misconduct on the matter that led to my application for reassignment, as was revealed to me, was the interference by the Chief Judge. My application was for him to exonerate himself and also give me the confidence to continue this case in the Kaduna State High Court of Justice.

“However, this honourable court acknowledged my application and informed me that my letter dated January 29, 2018 and addressed to the chief judge and copied the presiding judge of Court 14 had been received and noted.”

Ubah expressed dismay that the chief judge did not treat the said application despite the fact that Court 14 copied him their action on his application.

He continued: “To my surprise, the chief judge, who is the action addressee, has so far not treated the said application despite the fact that the Court 14 copied him their action on my application.”

According to him, the action contradicts the provision of the code of conduct for judicial officers.