A tense scene unfolded at the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, on Thursday when Dr. Maxwell Okpara, standing trial for conspiracy and obtaining money by false pretence, openly accused the court of bias and declared he would never get justice in the case.

Okpara and two others face a nine-count amended charge involving N52 million, allegedly withdrawn after misleading the Court of Appeal into believing they represented the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Unity Bank in a garnishee proceeding.

The confrontation occurred during the cross-examination of the second defendant, Barrister Gold Ogechi Nwankwo, who denied conspiring to mislead public officers or giving false information. Nwankwo testified that she had appeared in the garnishee proceeding on the instructions of a colleague, Barrister Bunmi Olaleye, external solicitor to the CBN, and not under Okpara’s direction.

However, during cross-examination, Okpara refused to ask questions, insisting that the court had already foreclosed his rights.

“This court is not fair to me. It has foreclosed me and denied me my right to fair hearing,” Okpara told Justice Hamza Mu’azu.

The judge warned that his refusal amounted to a waiver of his right to cross-examine. He subsequently ruled that the right of the first defendant to cross-examine the second defendant had been waived. Okpara protested, stating, “I did not waive my right. I will never get justice in this court. I prefer not to say anything in this matter.”

Under cross-examination by other counsel, Nwankwo admitted she was neither a CBN staff member nor an external solicitor for the bank. She also acknowledged that CBN later petitioned her appearance before the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) and affirmed the authenticity of her affidavit and written responses.

Justice Mu’azu adjourned the case to January 19 and 20, 2026, for continuation of the defence.

Meanwhile, Okpara has petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing Justice Mu’azu of gross misconduct, judicial bias, and violation of his constitutional right to fair hearing.

In the petition dated November 6, 2025, Okpara alleged that the judge exhibited hostility and personal animosity, denied him legal representation, admitted a confessional statement obtained under duress, and foreclosed his defence despite a pending recusal request. He also claimed arbitrary costs were imposed on counsel to the second defendant and proceedings were scheduled despite his prior medical appointment.

“The conduct of Justice Mu’azu has brought the image of the judiciary into disrepute. It has turned a legitimate prosecution into an instrument of persecution, personal vendetta and abuse of authority,” Okpara stated, urging the NJC to investigate the matter and take disciplinary action to preserve judicial integrity.