Justice Iniekadi Eradiri, of a Bayelsa State High Court on Monday disqualified from the trial of Chief Richard Kpodo, a former aide to ex-Gov. Timippre Sylva of Bayelsa.

Kpodo, standing trial for the alleged rape of a 26-year female cashier, had appealed Justice Eradiri’s ruling, declining to disqualify self from hearing the case and petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC) accusing the judge of bias.

Kpodo’s counsel, Julius Iyekoroghe, had on Dec. 21, 2018, approached Eradiri with a motion on notice, urging him to disqualify himself, Eradiri referred the application to Chief Judge of Bayelsa.

Justice Kate Abiri, Chief Judge of Bayelsa, subsequently declined an application to have the rape trial to another judge.

The defence counsel alleged that the judge showed bias in the case by refusing to grant bail to the defendant.

Ruling on the petition on Monday, Eradiri, said that he was constrained to hands off the case to pave way for the investigation by the NJC.

“I feel strongly that I should no longer continue with the case since the petition against me before the National Judicial Council is being investigated.

” I will, therefore, hand over the case file to the Honourable Chief Judge,” Eradiri said.

It will be recalled that Kpodo who was earlier denied bail by Eradiri appealed the decision at the Appeal Court and was released from prison custody at Okaka Prisons Yenagoa, where he was held from July 2018 till April 2019 have met the bail conditions.

______________________________________________________________________ Explore Nigeria’s Constitutional System — 17 Chapters, 924 Pages Of Insight By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
“Constitutional Law and Constitutionalism in Nigeria” By Prof. Hagler Sunny Okorie
Call to Order Your Copy: 📞 0803 766 7945 | 0802 863 6615 | 0803 225 3813 ✉️ haglersoco@gmail.com 🏢 Winners Chambers, 135 Ehi Road, Aba, Abia State ______________________________________________________________________ Your Guide To Nigeria’s Competition Law — DOA Handbook (Volumes 1 & 2) Released At ₦20,000
DOA Handbook on Nigerian Competition Law
Available for purchase at ₦20,000 Per copy through LawPavilion’s trusted platform. Search for The DOA Handbook on Nigerian Competition Law or use the direct link: Click here. Unlock the complexities of Nigeria’s Federal Competition and Consumer Protection Act (FCCPA) with the DOA Handbook on Nigerian Competition Law, Volumes 1 & 2. ______________________________________________________________________ Alexander Payne Co. Law Reports

Contact & Orders 📞 0704 444 4777 | 0704 444 4999 | 0818 199 9888 🌐 www.alexandernigeria.com

______________________________________________________________________ “History of Rivers State Judiciary: A Compendium of Personalities on the Bench.” Authored by Ampim Gogo Blankson, Esq., Deputy Director at the Rivers State Ministry of Justice, in collaboration with the Rivers State Judiciary 💰 Cover Price: ₦20,000.00 (Twenty Thousand Naira) Bukky Law Books, Rivers State High Court Complex, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt – 📞 08034868754📞 08034729738📞 Enquiries: ______________________________________________________________________ [A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
“Evidence Act: Complete Annotation” by renowned legal experts Sanni & Etti.
Available now for NGN 40,000 at ASC Publications, 10, Boyle Street, Onikan, Lagos. Beside High Court, TBS. Email publications@ayindesanni.com or WhatsApp +2347056667384. Purchase Link: https://paystack.com/buy/evidence-act-complete-annotation _________________________________________________________________