Alleged Rape: Judge disqualify self from trial of Ex-Bayelsa Security Adviser

Justice Ineikade Eradiri of the Bayelsa State High Court7 sitting in Yenagoa has disqualified himself from the ongoing trial of the Former Security Adviser to the State Government, Chief Perekeme Kpodoh over the investigation of alleged bias and judicial misconduct levelled against him before the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Justice Ineikade Eradiri,  was the presiding Judge in the two count charges of alleged rape, in suit numbered YHC/95c/2018, filed against Chief Perekeme Kpodoh by the State Government.

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Justice Ineikade Eradiri, who was sheduled to deliver ruling on an application to disqualify himself from the case, refused to rule but announced his withdrawal from the case and announced his intention to return the case file to the Chief Judge of the State for necessary actions.

Justice Eradiri was quoted saying though he has responded to the allegations of alleged judicial rascality leveled against him before the NJC, he can no longer continue with the case because the issue is already in the public domain and under investigation.

It would be recalled  that Chief Perekeme Kpodoh,in his petition before the National Judicial Council (NJC) accused Justice Ineikede Eradiri of alleged judicial misconduct without due regard to rules of the court.

The NJC, in a letter confirming the reciept of the petition against Justice I. Eradiri dated 28th of February, 2019 with reference number NJC/S6/BAY HC/9/1/154, assured the petitioner, Chief Perekeme Kpodoh, of speedy investigation. 

The Petition accused the Bayelsa High Court Judge of alleged that the conduct and rolling of the judge in a case of alleged rape brought against him is a clear case of conspiracy with the state government to indict him by all mean for political gains. 

In the two pages petition dated 11th February, 2019, Chief Perekeme Kpodoh, prayed the National Judicial Council to leveled appropriate action against the accused State Court Judge, insisted that the Judge is part of a conspiracy to convict him for an offence he is innocent of, “despite a clear and credible case of a real like hood of bias made against Justice Eradiri and indeed driven by the said conspiracy, Justice Ineikade Eradiri ignored the fact that there is presently in the court of Appeal a case seeking to disqualify him and proceeded to adjourned the matter for continuation of hearing. “

“I reasonably believe that the conduct of Justice Ineikade Eradiri  amounts to judicial rascality for which an appropriate sanction should be meted out.”

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