THE National Judicial Council (NJC) has 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 Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
This was disclosed in a statement released Wednesday night 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.
“The act of judicial misconduct occurred while His Lordship presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, at the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division, before his elevation to the Court of Appeal,” the NJC stated.
Similarly, another judge, Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was also suspended for one year without pay. In addition, he was placed on the council’s watch list and barred from promotion for five years.
“The complaints against Ekwo arose from charge no. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, wherein His Lordship delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties,” the NJC said.
According to the NJC, Ekwo 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 has 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.
The NJC also empanelled nine committees to investigate pending complaints against 27 judicial officers for alleged acts of judicial misconduct.
The NJC also resolved that Nzeukwu should be issued a query to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as the acting chief judge of Imo State.
The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, V. U. Okorie, who acted as Interim Chairman of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission and recommended the appointment of Nzeukwu, is required to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.
The council resolved that thenceforth, the names of candidates being considered for appointment as judicial officers to superior courts of records would be published for information and reactions from the public.
A reporter with the ICIR
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