The Federal High Court has transferred Justice Peter Lifu Odo from Lagos to the Abuja division of the court. The Judge will occupy the space left vacant following the elevation of Justice A.R. Mohammed to the Court of Appeal. Justice Mohammed will fill the Sharia slot on the appellate court bench.
In a notice dated Thursday, January 11, 2023, the Federal High Court stated that Justice Lifu’s resumption in Abuja was effective immediately.
Justice Lifu is the courageous judge that last March 21, struck out the Federal Government’s suit seeking recovery and forfeiture of the over N70 trillion it claimed was hidden in 29 bank accounts by top government officials. The judge noted that the case, filed in 2021, was not diligently prosecuted.
While stricking out the matter, Justice Lifu had said: “Going through the originating process filed by Mohammed Ndarani, (SAN), which is no longer extant as the ex parte order was set aside on May 27, 2022, there is nothing left again for this court to adjudicate upon.
“In the circumstances of this case, therefore, the application of the learned counsel for NNPC, M. T. Danzaki, and Access Bank Plc, I. S. Etefia, succeeds.
“This case is hereby struck out for want of diligent prosecution and I make no order as to cost,” he held.
On May 24, 2022, the revered jurist granted an order restraining transport unions from collecting union dues and levies from commercial drivers who are non-union members in all motor parks in Lagos State.
He is also the judge who on February 8, 2023, dismissed a suit by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) seeking to disqualify Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu and the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidates from contesting in the 2023 general elections. The judgment was affirmed on appeal.
Justice Lifu is currently hearing, among others, the case of five alleged drug barons said to have been arrested in Ikorodu with over two tonnes of cocaine, by the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).
