Lawyers, Politicians, Others Hail Justice Abang's Redeployment From Abuja to Asaba

A host of lawyers and politicians, yesterday, hailed the redeployment of Justice Okon Abang from Abuja to Asaba by the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Ibrahim Auta, saying it was long over due. 

While one of the lawyers wondered if Justice Abang’s redeployment to Delta State was not to hurt the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, because most of his controversial rulings had been against the PDP. 

The controversial Justice Abang

Some of the lawyers, who spoke to Vanguard, described the action of the CJ as a right step in the right direction, noting that it would save the judiciary from “further embarrassment.” 

Most of the legal practitioners, including Senior Advocates of Nigeria, who pleaded anonymity, said the judge ought to have been re-deployed before now. 

According to a SAN, because he still has a case pending before the judge, “I can tell you that almost everyone is pleased with this development. 

Though Justice Abang is a fine gentleman, he has, however, turned very controversial since he was transferred from Lagos to Abuja. 

“Aside several petitions that had been lodged against him before the National Judicial Council, NJC, since he came to Abuja, his various controversial judgements, especially on sensitive political matters, did not help matters.” 

Another lawyer, who simply gave his name as Mr. Lawrence A., said: “Redeployment of Justice Abang is a welcome development. 

The judiciary, as you know is very conservative. Since the learned judge came to the Abuja division, it has been one controversy or the other. 

“Most times when I hear of any controversial ruling coming from the Abuja division of the court, even without reading the story, I will just guess that it was delivered by Abang and most of the time my guess turned out to be right.”

Justice Abang was among 10 judges of the high court that were affected by a redeployment circular the Chief Judge issued on December 21, 2016. 

Other judges affected by the redeployment exercise are Justice Mohammed Liman from Port Harcourt to Enugu; Justice S. Saidu (moved from Lagos to Port Harcourt); Justice A. Faji (from Asaba to Lagos); Justice R.  Aikawa (Sokoto to Lagos); Justice B. Quadri (from Port Harcourt to Abuja); Justice Mallong Hoommuk (from Port Harcourt to Lafia); Justice K.K Dagat (from Lagos to Kano); Justice Saleh Idrissa (Kano to Sokoto); Justice H.  Oshomah (Lafia to Port Harcourt) and Justice J. Omotosho (Kano to Port Harcourt).