The National Judicial Council (NJC) has empanelled four committees to investigate 27 federal and state high court judges accused of official misconduct.
A statement by the Director of Information of the NJC, Soji Oye, said the decision was reached at the 106th meeting presided by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, on August 14 and 15 where 22 petitions were considered.
The council resolved to issue a letter of advice to Justice O. M. Olagunju of Oyo State High Court to be cautious as a judicial officer before acting, even in the most challenging situation to avert the alleged use of uncouth language in a letter addressed to the CJN while challenging council’s decision viz-a-viz its Policy Direction on Appointment of President Court of the Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State.
The council dismissed 18 petitions for lacking merit, abandonment, or being subjudice.
The council discounanenced petitions against Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President Court of Appeal, Justices E. O. Williams Dawodu, B. A. Georgewill, Yargata Timpar, S. D. Samchi, Aisha B. Aliyu, A. A. Aderibigbe M. L. Shuaibu, H. A. O. Abiru and Abdulazeez Waziri all of the Court of Appeal.
Others are Justice J. T. Tsoho, Chief Judge Federal High Court; Justices Z. B. Abubakar, J. K. Omotosho, Sunday B. Onu all of the Federal High Court and Justice Okon E. Abang when he was serving at the Federal High Court; Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court; Justice Babagana Karumi of the High Court Borno State; Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of the High Court of Niger State; Justice A. A. Aderibigbe of Osun State High Court; and Justice Aisha B. Aliyu of Nasarawa State High Court.
The council also noted that petitions written against Justices Ayodele Oyeyemi Oyebisi, Amaobi L. Agara, Amina Garba, Bello M. Tukur, Omeka Elekwa and O. A. Adetujoye who served at Asaba and Plateau National and State Assembly Election Tribunal Panels.
The statement reads further that “Council also considered the Report of its Performance Evaluation of Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of record and resolved to issue letters ranging from commendation, appreciation, No submission and non-performance to 215 judges all over the federation.
“It also placed five judges on its pre-sanction watch list register for poor performance. They would be recommended to the Council for appropriate sanction if they do not improve on their performance.
“Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, in the meeting being the last one before his retirement, appreciated the cooperation he received from members of the council and the council’s secretariat and implored them to extend same to his successor.”
