Justice Okon Abang of the Federal High Court has said he is disqualifying himself from hearing the case of Incorporated Trustees of Oron Union in the interest of justice and fair play.
Abang, based on this, has handed over the case file over to the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.
Abang said: “Having regard to the fact that I am from the Oron nation, an ethnic group in Akwa Ibom State, I think it is proper for me to return the case file.
“The case file will be returned to the chief judge of the Federal High Court for reassignment to another judge other than me.
“By consent of all parties to the suit, I hereby disqualify myself from further proceeding of this case on the account that I am from Akwa Ibom State.”
The suit was instituted by Oron Union seeking an interim order to stop the Senate from confirming the nominations of Nsima Ekere and Frank George.
The nominees were selected for appointment as Managing Director and Commissioner on the board of Niger Delta Development Commission respectively.