An advocacy group, Citizens Watch Nigeria, has called on Justice Okon Abang of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court to vary the bail conditions he earlier granted the embattled former Chairman of the Pension Reform Task Team, Abdulrasheed Maina.
The convener of the group, Mr Nnamdi Nkwocha stated this at a press conference in Abuja, Wednesday, saying justice Abang presides over the busiest court in the Federal Capital Territory, if not in the federation.
Nkwocha said the judge is known to have handled highly contentious and controversial cases where he has delivered landmark judgments without sentiments.
He stated further that the judge is constantly being vilified by a few elements in the society because of his strict application of the law, adding that a vast majority of people regards him as a fine gentleman who loves to protect the legal profession at any given time.
He said :”No matter how one looks at it, Justice Okon Abang is a fit for the bench worthy of elevation to the upper Bench due to his high level of brilliance and philosophical sagacity, which puts him above most of his equals.”
Mr. Nkwocha said Justice Abang deserves overwhelming accolades for always upholding the rule of law.
“When the case of the ex-Pension boss, Abdulrasheed Maina was assigned to his court, one would hardly believe that Justice Abang would grant him bail in view of some dramatic actions that preceded the actual trial where he asked the defendant to stop looking at him in the open court, but he did after considering a lot of factors, except that the bail terms were too excessive.
“Now that hopes are high, will Justice Abang soften the conditions attached to Maina’s bail? The question is better left at the breast of the court, as no one can ever know its mind.”
