Judge Considers Stepping Aside from IG Contempt Case

A Federal High Court in Abuja on Monday said it would, within one week, decide whether to continue hearing contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General of Police, or transfer the matter to another judge over the alleged disobedience of its judgment in the case of the disappearance of John Chukwuemeka Anozie.

The trial judge, Justice Binta Nyako, disclosed this after expressing reservations about continuing with the contempt proceedings, saying her level of involvement in the substantive suit could warrant a reassignment.

When the case was called, counsel for judgment creditor, Vincent Adodo, apologised for the absence of his client and informed the court that the applicant was ready to proceed with the contempt application.

“We have filed an application to commit the respondent for contempt of court,” Adodo said.

Before the application could proceed, the judge said she had reflected on the matter, and was considering stepping aside from the contempt proceedings.

“I have been thinking about this matter, and I am of the opinion that I should send this case to one of my brother judges to take the contempt proceedings,” the judge said.

She explained the reason for the proposed transfer, adding, “I feel I have been so involved in the matter.”

Adodo said the applicant had no objection. “We are comfortable with it, My Lord,” he said.

The judge then said she would take a week to decide whether to continue with the matter or transfer the contempt proceedings to another judge.

Adodo also informed the court that there had been progress in efforts to recover the police investigation file, which forms the crux of the dispute.

“They have found the case file,” he said.

According to him, the respondents released the file to enable his team make photocopies before it was returned more than two weeks ago.

“The only thing they need to do is just to certify it,” he said, adding that no further action had been taken since then.

The judge acknowledged the development, saying, “At least something is happening.”

Adodo thanked the court for its intervention, saying it had made “a very significant impact” in moving the matter forward.

The contempt proceedings arose from a judgment delivered on September 24, 2025, in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/865/2025, in which the court granted reliefs sought by Mrs Nnenna Anozie over the police handling of the 2017 abduction and disappearance of her husband, John Chukwuemeka Anozie.

In the judgment, the court ordered the IGP to release the police investigation reports relating to the disappearance, including the 2017 X-Squad investigation report, and the legal opinion of the Police Legal Department.

The court also directed the IGP to forward the investigation file to the Attorney-General of the Federation and hand over police officers found culpable in the matter for prosecution.

Justice Binta Nyako further awarded ₦2m damages against the IGP for refusing to grant access to information requested under the Freedom of Information Act.

Following what the applicant described as the police authorities’ failure to fully comply with the judgment, contempt proceedings were initiated against the IGP.

The court is expected to decide next week whether the contempt application will remain before the current judge or be reassigned to another judge of the Federal High Court.