THE Kogi State Judicial Service Commission (JSC) has ordered the compulsory retirement of the Area Court’s judge, Alemeru Adekunle Bamidele, over misconduct.
A magistrate, Tanimu U. Muhammed, was also suspended for two years and issued a warning letter by the commission.
According to the Secretary to the Commission, Tanko Muhammed, the decisions were made at the JSC’s 136th meeting in Lokoja, the Kogi state capital.
The commission acquitted four others: Magistrate Abdul Musa Mopah, Yunusa Medugu, Deborah O. Ebiloma, and Anuhi Safiya Oiza, who were accused of various alleged offences.
The JSC Secretary, Muhammed, who spoke on Thursday, May 8, announced the formation of a six-man committee to explore ways to improve the welfare of magistrates and area court judges in the state.
Muhammed said the allegations against the officers were first investigated by the commission’s disciplinary committee, which recommended the JSC.
“The sacked judge was found to have bought a building that was the subject matter of litigation before him after ordering the sale of the same and refused to make full payment for the property. He was found to have issued a court order without hearing both parties,” Muhammed explained.
Muhammed said the committee that investigated the officers was headed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of the state, Muizudeen Abdullah.
The issue came up a few days after the National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended three serving judicial officers for one year without pay, including a justice of the Court of Appeal, for myriad acts of judicial misconduct.
The disciplinary actions were part of key decisions made at the NJC’s 108th meeting, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
This was disclosed in a statement released by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe.
According to the council, Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, was found guilty of breaching Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
The NJC stated that Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate ex- parte orders for the sale of Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at the interlocutory stage of the case.
According to the NJC, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, ignored an application to set aside court proceedings conducted without the parties present and went on to dismiss the charge against the defendants.
This action was deemed a violation of Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
The third judge slammed with punishment by the NJC, Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was suspended for one year without pay for judicial wrongdoing.
In another development, the Council directed the governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, to reverse the appointment of Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting chief judge of the state.
The NJC directed the Imo State Governor to appoint the most senior judicial officer in the High Court as acting chief judge, as mandated by Section 271(4) of the Constitution, leaving no room for discretion.
A reporter with the ICIR
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