The National Judicial Council has wielded the big stick against erring judicial officers, suspending two judges for one year without pay over misconduct and abuse of judicial process.
The disciplinary action was among major decisions reached at the Council’s 111th meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement issued by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the Council said the affected judges — Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court and Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory — were found culpable of serious judicial misconduct.
Justice Shekarau was suspended following a petition accusing him of granting an ex parte order that led to the transfer of N7 million from a woman’s bank account to a third party in controversial circumstances. The NJC said its findings showed the judge acted in bad faith, ignored due process, and displayed lack of professional competence.
Justice Okpe, on his part, was sanctioned over alleged denial of fair hearing in a matrimonial dispute after reportedly hearing and granting an ex parte application before the scheduled hearing date without notifying the respondent.
The Council also dismissed appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State judiciary who were compulsorily retired over age falsification, insisting that none of them presented fresh evidence capable of overturning the earlier decision.
The affected judges include B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe, and T.N. Nzeukwu.
However, the NJC reinstated Justice T.I. Nze of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal after reviewing what it described as authentic fresh evidence submitted by him.
The Council further recommended the appointment of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal as part of efforts to strengthen the nation’s judiciary.
NJC Cracks Down on Judiciary, Suspends Two Judges Without Pay
