Judge presiding over Saraki’s case is dead

Justice Evoh Chukwu of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court is dead.

Until his death, Chukwu presided over the alleged forgery case filled by some senators opposed to the leadership of the 8th Senate, against Senate president, Bukola Saraki and his deputy, Ike Ekweremadu.

A statement issued by the court’s chief registrar, Emmanuel Gako, in Abuja on Thursday, said Chukwu died after a brief illness.

To this effect, the court declared Thursday a work free day in honour of the departed judge.

The statement also directed all court registrars to adjourn cases that were initially slated for hearing to ensure total compliance.

The deceased was also handling the trial of former Governor of Adamawa State, Murtala Nyako, over allegations of abuse of office and economic crimes levelled against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

The case was recently re-assigned to the deceased judge by the Chief Judge of the court, Justice Ibrahim Auta.

This followed Justice Adeniyi Ademola’s declining to give judgment in the matter following an allegation of bias raised by the Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu.

According to the News Agency of Nigeria, Justice Chukwu was born on August 24, 1964 in Afikpo North LGA of Ebonyi State and was appointed a judge of the court on January 23, 2008.