Judge disqualifies himself from review

A JUDGE who refused to stop a deportation order against a Nigerian mother, who fears her two daughters are at risk of female genital mutilation (FGM), yesterday agreed to disqualify himself from hearing separate judicial review proceedings also taken by the woman following an application from her lawyers.

Mr Justice John Hedigan was yesterday due to hear the full judicial review application by the woman challenging the legal basis of the original deportation order by the minister for justice, equality and law reform.

Pamela Izevbekhai and her daughters, Naomi, 7, and Jemima, 6, had been given a reprieve against their deportation last month following the intervention of the European Court of Human Rights (ECHR).