The National Judicial Council (NJC) has formed four investigative panels to examine allegations of judicial misconduct involving 27 high court judges across the country.
Additionally, the Council has issued a letter of advice to Justice O. M. Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court, urging him to exercise caution in his role as a judicial officer, even in difficult situations.
This advice followed reports that Justice Olagunju used inappropriate language in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, challenging the NJC’s decisions and policy directions concerning the appointment of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.
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During its 106th meeting, chaired by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, the NJC reviewed the report from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which had addressed 22 petitions against 27 judicial officers in both Federal and State High Courts.
As a result of the preliminary committee’s findings, the Council established four committees to further investigate the merit-based allegations in the petitions.
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According to a statement by NJC Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, the remaining 18 petitions were dismissed due to lack of merit, abandonment, or being subjudice.
The dismissed petitions involve the following judicial officers:
– Hon. Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal
– Hon. 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
Additionally:
– Hon. Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court
– Hon. Justices Z. B. Abubakar, James Kolawole Omotosho, and Sunday B. Onu from the Federal High Court
– Justice Okon E. Abang, formerly of the Federal High Court
Also included are:
– Hon. Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court
– Hon. Justice Babagana Karumi of the Borno State High Court
– Hon. Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of the Niger State High Court
– Hon. Justice A. A. Aderibigbe of the Osun State High Court
– Hon. Justice Aisha B. Aliyu of the Nasarawa State High Court
Additionally, the NJC has added five judges to its pre-sanction Watch List due to concerns about their performance.
These judges will be recommended for appropriate sanctions if they do not show improvement.
In his final meeting before retirement, Justice Ariwoola expressed gratitude for the cooperation he received from both the Council members and the Council’s Secretariat. He urged them to extend the same support to his successor.
Council members, in turn, praised the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, offering their best wishes for his health and well-being in retirement.
