Popular clergyman Reverend Al Miller yesterday lost his bid to have Resident Magistrate (RM) Georgianna Fraser barred from trying his case of attempting to pervert the course of justice.

Miller was charged in 2010 after Christopher 'Dudus' Coke was found in his company along the Mandela Highway in St Catherine. At that time Coke was a fugitive.

Miller had asked the RM to step down from the case on the grounds that she was the person who signed the warrant of arrest for Coke in 2010.

He also argued that Fraser had presided at the proceedings when Coke waived his right to an extradition hearing.

The RM, however, refused to step down from the case and Miller took the matter to the Judicial Review Court.

In handing down the decision yesterday, Senior Puisne Judge Gloria Smith threw out the motion saying the grounds on which Miller had filed the application were without merit.

Smith said no connection was established between Coke and the RM, and the matters relating to Coke, which would prejudice the case.

In June 2010, Miller had reported that Coke was being taken to the United States Embassy when he was intercepted by the police.

Attorney-at-law Wentworth Charles is representing him.