Justice Binta Nyako of the Federal High Court in Abuja has deferred a decision on whether to continue presiding over contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), saying she is considering stepping aside because of her deep involvement in the case.
The contempt proceedings arise from allegations that the IGP failed to obey subsisting court orders directing the police to produce officers implicated in the disappearance of John Anozie and to present several case files linked to the matter. The court had also awarded N2 million in damages to Mr. Anozie’s wife, Nnenna Anozie.
At Monday’s proceedings, the IGP was not represented in court.
When the matter was called, counsel to Mrs. Anozie, Vincent Adodo, told the court that the applicant was ready to proceed with the application seeking to commit the IGP for contempt over the alleged non-compliance with the court’s orders.
Before the application could be argued, Justice Nyako disclosed that she had reflected extensively on the case and was contemplating transferring the contempt proceedings to another judge.
“I have been thinking about this matter, and I am of the opinion that I should send this case to one of my brother judges to take the contempt proceedings,” the judge said.
“I feel I have been so involved in the matter.”
However, Adodo urged the court to retain the case, stating that his client had confidence in the judge’s continued handling of the proceedings.
“We are comfortable with you handling the case, My Lord,” he said.
Justice Nyako said she would take one week to decide whether to continue hearing the contempt application or assign it to another judge.
The proceedings also revealed what appears to be a breakthrough in efforts to recover one of the missing police case files central to the dispute.
Adodo informed the court that the file had been located and temporarily released to his legal team for photocopying before it was returned to the respondents over two weeks ago.
“They have found the case file,” he said, adding that the only outstanding step was for the authorities to certify the document.
“The only thing they need to do is just to certify it,” he told the court.
Reacting, Justice Nyako remarked: “At least something is happening.”
Background
The case stems from the alleged abduction of John Anozie by operatives of the now-disbanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in Lagos in June 2017. His whereabouts have remained unknown since the incident, making the case one of the unresolved allegations of enforced disappearance linked to the former police unit.
The suit has become a test of police accountability and compliance with judicial orders. The pending contempt proceedings seek to determine whether the IGP should be sanctioned for allegedly failing to obey the court’s directives, with Justice Nyako expected next week to decide whether she will continue hearing the matter or transfer it to another judge.
