NJC begins probe of 27 Judges over alleged misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has established four investigative panels to review allegations of judicial misconduct involving 27 high court judges across Nigeria.

This significant move aims to address concerns regarding the integrity of the judiciary and ensure accountability within the judicial system.

In addition to the probes, the NJC has issued a formal letter of advice to Justice O. M. Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court. The Council’s advisory urges Justice Olagunju to exercise caution and maintain decorum in his role as a judicial officer, particularly after using harsh language in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The contentious letter from Justice Olagunju challenged the NJC’s decisions and its policies regarding the appointment of the President of the Court of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.

The NJC’s response underscores the importance of professional conduct and adherence to procedural norms, even amidst disagreements.

At its 106th meeting presided over by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Olukayode Ariwoola, the NJC considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee on 22 petitions written against 27 judicial officers of the Federal and State High Courts.

Based on the report of the preliminary committee, the Council set up four committees to investigate allegations in the petitions that were found meritorious.

A statement by the NJC Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye on Friday in Abuja however said that the remaining 18 petitions were discountenanced for lacking in merit, abandoned or being subjudice.

The discountenanced petitions are against Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President 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 of the Court of Appeal.

Others are Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge, Federal High Court, and Justices Z. B. Abubakar, James. Kolawole Omotosho, Sunday B. Onu all of the Federal High Court and Justice Okon E. Abang when he was serving at the Federal High Court.

The rest are Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court, Justice Babagana Karumi of the High Court Borno State, Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of the High Court of Niger State, Justice A. A. Aderibigbe of Osun State High Court and Justice Aisha B. Aliyu of Nasarawa State High Court.

Besides, the NJC placed five judges on its pre-sanction watchlist register for poor performance. They would be recommended to the Council for appropriate sanction if they do not improve on their performance.

CJN, Justice Ariwoola at the meeting, being the last one before his retirement, appreciated the cooperation he received from members of the Council and the Council’s Secretariat and implored them to extend same to his successor.

Members of the Council in return eulogized the outgoing CJN and wished him good health in retirement.