NJC to Investigate 27 Judges Over Misconduct

• The National Judicial Council has formed four committees to investigate 27 judges accused of misconduct, reviewing 22 petitions during their meeting
• NJC dismissed 18 petitions for lack of merit while advising Justice O. M. Olagunju to use appropriate language in communications

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has set up four committees to investigate 27 judges from federal and state high courts, accused of official misconduct.

In a statement from NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, the decision was made during the 106th meeting, presided over by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on August 14 and 15. The council reviewed 22 petitions during the meeting.

Justice O. M. Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court was advised to act cautiously as a judicial officer, particularly in challenging situations, to avoid using inappropriate language. This advice came in response to a letter he wrote to the CJN, questioning the council’s Policy Direction on appointing the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.

Eighteen petitions were dismissed by the council for lacking merit, being abandoned, or subjudice.

Petitions against several justices were also dismissed, including Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, and Justices E. O. Williams Dawodu, B. A. Georgewill, Yargata Timpar, S. D. Samchi, Aisha B. Aliyu, A. A. Aderibigbe, M. L. Shuaibu, H. A. O. Abiru, and Abdulazeez Waziri, all from the Court of Appeal.

Others cleared include Justice J. T. Tsoho, Chief Federal High Court Judge, Justices Z. B. Abubakar, J. K. Omotosho, Sunday B. Onu, Justice Okon E. Abang, Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court, Justice Babagana Karumi of the Borno State High Court, Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of the Niger State High Court, Justice A. A. Aderibigbe of the Osun State High Court, and Justice Aisha B. Aliyu of the Nasarawa State High Court.

The council also dismissed petitions against Justices Ayodele Oyeyemi Oyebisi, Amaobi L. Agara, Amina Garba, Bello M. Tukur, Omeka Elekwa, and O. A. Adetujoye, who served on the Asaba and Plateau National and State Assembly Election Tribunal Panels.

Additionally, the NJC reviewed the Performance Evaluation of Judicial Officers from Superior Courts. Letters ranging from commendation to non-performance were issued to 215 judges nationwide. Five judges were placed on a pre-sanction watch list for poor performance and will face sanctions if they do not improve.

In his final meeting before retirement, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola expressed gratitude for the cooperation he received from the council members and secretariat and urged them to extend the same support to his successor.