The National Judicial Council has taken decisive disciplinary action against five judicial officers, including Justices G.C. Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and A.O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court, over allegations of misconduct.

The NJC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, announced the decisions following its 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.

In a statement signed by the Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the NJC disclosed that Justices Aguma and Nwabunike have been suspended from performing judicial duties for one year without pay and placed on a watchlist for two years.

The NJC also recommended the compulsory retirement of two heads of court: the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T.E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, over falsification of their dates of birth.

The council found Justice Aguma culpable for aiding a litigant in obtaining a garnishee order at the High Court in Bori, Rivers State, despite the judgement originating from the High Court of the FCT in Abuja.

The Council noted the suspicious speed at which the order was granted and Aguma’s disregard for a stay of execution issued by the Bwari High Court in Abuja.

Justice Nwabunike was sanctioned for violating the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, particularly by granting ex parte orders without motions on notice and misinterpreting legal principles, which constituted an abuse of judicial powers.

For falsifying their ages, Justice Chikeka and Kadi Mahdi were found to have misrepresented their birth years to extend their time in office.

Justice Chikeka reportedly changed his date of birth from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958, while Kadi Mahdi was discovered to have three conflicting dates of birth, with the actual year being 1952.

The NJC directed that salaries and allowances received by both officers beyond their rightful retirement dates be refunded.

The NJC also reviewed 30 petitions, dismissing 22 for lack of merit and empaneling six committees for further investigations. Notable decisions include

A caution was issued to Justice I.A. Jamil of Kogi State for handling sensitive matters improperly.

Another caution was issued to Justice J.J. Majebi, Chief Judge of Kogi State, for assigning a sensitive case to a junior judge.

The NJC also dismissed bribery allegations against Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and a petition against Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam for lack of substantiated evidence.

The council also recommended 36 candidates for judicial appointments across various states.

The NJC emphasised its commitment to maintaining the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary by sanctioning erring officers while protecting them from baseless allegations.

The Council warned that legal practitioners who file frivolous petitions would face disciplinary action.
|SituationReport|