***Recommends Compulsory Retirement for Two Heads of Court Over Misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two High Court judges, Justice G. C. Aguma of Rivers State and Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, from performing judicial functions for one year without pay, following investigations over misconduct.
Both judges will also be placed on a two-year watch list after the suspension period.

This decision was reached at the NJC’s 107th meeting, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on November 13 and 14, 2024. Alongside these suspensions, the NJC sanctioned three other judicial officers and recommended the compulsory retirement of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, over age falsification.

According to the NJC, Justice Aguma aided a litigant inappropriately by transferring a garnishee proceeding from Abuja to Rivers State for enforcement. Similarly, Justice Nwabunike was found to have breached judicial conduct rules by issuing ex parte orders without proper procedures.

The NJC’s report indicated that Justice Chikeka and Grand Kadi Mahdi presented multiple birth dates to extend their service beyond the legal retirement age. The council has ordered both judges to refund all excess salaries received after their actual retirement dates.

The NJC also issued warnings to two other judges, Justice I. A. Jamil and Chief Judge J. J. Majebi of Kogi State, regarding their handling of sensitive cases. Petitions against several other judges were dismissed for lack of merit.

In addition, the council recommended the appointment of 36 judicial officers across several states and pledged to report legal practitioners filing unfounded petitions against judges to disciplinary committees for action. The appointed judges are expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors.

Chairman of the Senate Committee on Finance, Senator Sani Musa, has called on Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to investigate the detention and prosecution of underage protesters involved in the recent #EndBadGovernance demonstrations.
The minors, allegedly in poor health, were arraigned on Friday before Justice Obiora Egwuatu at the Federal High Court in Abuja.

Justice Egwuatu granted bail to 72 defendants, including the minors, setting bail at N10 million per defendant, with two sureties required. The conditions stipulate that one surety must be a civil servant of grade level 15 or higher with a verifiable address within the court’s jurisdiction, and the other must be a parent of the defendant.

Senator Musa, representing Niger East Senatorial District, condemned the treatment of the minors, describing it as “inhumane and unjust.” He also called for the National Judicial Council (NJC) to review the judge’s decision, questioning the appropriateness of detaining minors under such circumstances.

In a statement, Senator Musa said, “I strongly condemn the unjust detention of minors following the #EndBadGovernance protests. It is deeply troubling that, despite the hardships these children have endured, they are being punished rather than shown compassion and understanding.”

He further criticized the judiciary’s approach to the minors, emphasizing that “such actions contradict the principles of justice and fairness.” Musa urged an immediate investigation into the handling of the minors to ensure accountability and protect their rights.

During the court proceedings, the frail and malnourished children were visibly struggling, with some collapsing from exhaustion. Four minors had to be removed from the courtroom due to their critical health conditions.

Senator Musa affirmed his commitment to justice, stating, “This issue must be addressed urgently, and I will continue to stand with my constituents and all Nigerians in the pursuit of justice and good governance.”

In a strong plea for judicial integrity, the Coalition of Civil Society for Transparency in Governance has called for immediate intervention to prevent the Benue State Judicial Service Commission (BSJSC) from embarking on a proposed strike action.
The coalition claimed that the strike is being manipulated by political figures pursuing personal interests, potentially undermining the delivery of justice in the state.
Executive Director of the coalition, Hajia Jaiyeola Mohammed, submitted a petition to the Chief Justice of Benue State and the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) where she raised alarms about the growing backlog of civil and criminal cases in the courts, stressing that a strike would only exacerbate existing delays. “Justice delayed is justice denied,” she asserted, highlighting the urgency of the situation.
The coalition’s concerns stem from a meeting held on October 21, 2024, where it was revealed that certain politicians are exerting undue pressure on the BSJSC. This interference, they argue, threatens the judiciary’s independence, which is essential for upholding justice for all citizens.
“Holding the entire state to ransom for the interests of a few is unacceptable,” Hajia Mohammed stated. She urged the judiciary to conduct a thorough investigation into the matter, warning that a strike could lead to significant injustice for those awaiting legal resolutions.
The coalition’s petition underscored the crucial role of the judiciary in maintaining order and fairness, especially during politically charged times. With the potential strike looming, concerns are mounting over access to justice in the region, affecting not just the legal system but also public confidence in governance.
As citizens and legal practitioners await a response, the coalition remains vigilant, advocating for a judiciary free from external influences and dedicated to its primary mission of serving the public interest. The implications of this situation are profound, emphasizing the need for an independent judiciary as the backbone of democracy in Nigeria.