Justice Ahmed Mohammed, of the Federal High Court, Abuja, who heard Senate President Bukola Saraki’s ex parte application to stop the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), has withdrawn from the case.

Justice Mohammed who on Wednesday, remitted Saraki’s case to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Mahmud Mohammed, for reassigning to another judge, cited “negative reports” on the case as informing his decision

Recall that Saraki late on September 17 had approached Mohammed to give an order halting his trial by the CCT for alleged corruption and false declaration of assets.

‎The judge ordered the parties to the case – the CCT, and the ministry of justice – to appear before him on September 21. Saraki’s lawyers interpreted the order to mean the suspension of their client’s trial at the CCT.

The trial nevertheless went on September 21.

Mohammed said: “While it is not my intention to join issues with the authors of the said publication, I strongly feel that the records should be set straight.

“In the first instance, I have never made any restraining order against any of the defendants and in particular, the code of conduct tribunal vide a motion ex parte or any motion at all.

“Those who are conversant with the workings of this court know it is not in the habit of granting restraining orders to stop public institutions from carrying out their statutory duties‎.”