Drama in court: Judge withdraws, returns Gombe land tussle case to CJ
A mild drama ensued on Wednesday at the Gombe State High Court when a judge, Justice Fatima Musa recused herself from presiding over a high-profile land encroachment case involving Emir General Integrated Limited and a construction company contracted to build the state’s proposed Mechanics Village, known as Grandscope Construction Limited.
Emir General Integrated Limited had earlier sued the construction firm, alleging trespass on its land. The Gombe State Government also recently filed an application to be joined in the suit as a co-defendant.
During the latest court sitting on Wednesday, Justice Fatima Musa shocked parties involved by announcing her withdrawal from the case, citing personal reasons. She stated that the case would be returned to the Chief Judge of the State for reassignment to another judge.
Reacting to the development, counsel to the first defendant, Grandscope Construction Limited, Barrister Daniel Tsaro, described the judge’s decision as not uncommon, adding that his clients had no objections.
On his part, counsel to Emir General Integrated Limited, Barrister Suleiman Abdulrahim, reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing the matter to its conclusion, regardless of which court it is reassigned to.
It would be recalled that during a previous sitting, the court had granted an interim order restraining Grandscope Construction Limited from further accessing or commencing construction on the disputed land, pending the hearing and determination of a motion on notice.
