Judge Probed For Issuing Criminal Summons Against Soludo

A judge of the Upper Area Court Zuba, Abuja is currently under probe for issuing criminal summons against Professor Charles Soludo, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) for the Anambra gubernatorial election.

The judge, Gambo Garba, who presides over the Upper Area Court at Zuba, had on August 23, issued a direct criminal Summons against Soludo over a case of alleged perjury, corruption and false assets declaration that was filed against him by one Oliver Bitrus.

According to a report by Vanguard, a litigant, Oliver Bitrus, had alleged that Soludo serially breached the Code of Conduct for Public Officers while he held office as Governor of the CBN, between May 29, 2004 and May 29, 2009.

He, among other things, alleged that Soludo had within the period, through a proxy, acquired a property known and described as No. 50 Brondesbury Park, London, NW6 7AT, United Kingdom,

Acting on the suit, the Upper Area Court judge issued criminal summons against Soludo but this didn’t settle well with the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Tanko Muhammad.

The CJN had who had earlier warned judges against issuing orders that are capable of exposing the judiciary to public scrutiny.

It was disclosed that the CJN was embarrassed by the action of the Upper Area Court which lacked jurisdiction to entertain such matters.

A top source in the office of the CJN who craved anonymity, told Vanguard that the Acting Chief Judge of the FCT, Hussein Baba Yusuf, who is Chairman of JSC, is expected to submit findings of the Committee on the matter, within 21 days.

“The CJN ordered the immediate initiation of disciplinary action after his attention was drawn to the matter.

“Charges bordering on false declaration of assets are exclusively vested in the Code of Conduct Tribunal, CCT, but the Upper Area Court Judge assumed jurisdiction contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution”, the source added.

Send Us A Press Statement Advertise With Us Contact Us

 And For More Nigerian News Visit GWG.NG