AFTER weeks of prevarication amidst  pressure from lawyers, and civil and business groups,  Panama’s Supreme Court Chief Justice José Ayú Prado has stepped down as judge in the case involving former President Ricardo Martinelli and the Financial Pacific (FP) brokerage.

The decision was accepted by the plenary of the Supreme Court of Justice at its ordinary session on Thursday October 8

In a statement to the court, Ayú Prado said that while there is no legal reason for him to step aside, he recognizes that his continued control of the case could become "an obstacle," reports La Prensa

Civic groups have questioned his ability to remain impartial in the case given the fact that he was appointed by Martinelli and investigated FP while he was attorney general.

He said he wants the investigation to be "peaceful, transparent and pristine."

The former president has been accused of financial irregularities in regard to