In a recent development, a High Court Judge in Rivers State, Justice Lesi Wifa-Adedipe, has opted to step down from overseeing a case involving an oil servicing company and another party due to potential conflict of interest. The case involves Saipem Contracting Nigeria Ltd and Omuso Ernest Ibiama of Tamson Int’l Services Ltd.
During a hearing for a fundamental rights case, the plaintiff’s counsel, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, raised a motion for the judge to recuse herself from the case, citing her past representation of Saipem as a conflict. Justice Wifa-Adedipe agreed to the motion and stated that the case file will be reassigned to another judge by the State Chief Judge.
Oko-Jaja, SAN, explained to reporters outside the courtroom that the judge and he had previously been on opposing sides in legal matters involving Saipem. He emphasized that due to this history, it was best for the judge to recuse herself from the current case, a decision that was accepted without opposition from the defense counsel.
The case at hand revolves around the alleged unlawful detention of Omuso Ibiama by Saipem for four days. Oko-Jaja detailed how his client was held against his will by the company, emphasizing that his fundamental rights had been violated during the incident. The demands put forward by the claimant’s counsel include seeking damages and a public apology for his client.
The purpose of bringing the case to court, according to Oko-Jaja, is to address the unjustifiable actions taken by Saipem and to seek redress if it is found that the company’s conduct was in violation of the Nigerian constitution. The counsel highlighted the request for a public apology to be issued in newspapers and the pursuit of general damages for his client.