By Abubakar Abdullahi, Gombe
In a surprising turn of events, a Gombe State High Court Judge, Justice Fatima Musa, has recused herself from presiding over a high-profile land encroachment case involving Emir General Integrated Limited and a construction company Grandscope Constructions Limited contracted to build the state’s proposed Mechanics Village.
During the latest court sitting on Wednesday, Justice Fatima Musa shocked parties involved by announcing her withdrawal from the case, citing personal reasons.
She stated that the case would be returned to the Chief Judge of the State for reassignment to another judge.
Reacting to the development, counsel to the first defendant, Grandscope Construction Limited, Barrister Daniel Tsaro, described the judge’s decision as not uncommon, adding that his clients has no objections.
On his part, counsel to Emir General Integrated Limited, Barrister Suleiman Abdulrahim, reaffirmed their commitment to pursuing the matter to its logical conclusion, regardless of which court it is reassigned to.
It would be recalled that during a previous sitting, the court had granted an interim order restraining Grandscope Constructions Limited from further accessing or commencing constructions on the disputed land, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice.
Emir General Integrated Limited had earlier sued the construction firm, alleging trespass on its land.
Gombe State Government had recently filed an application to join the suit as a co-defendant, a request already granted by Justice Fatima Musa.