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Tag: NJC

  • NJC nominates Abba-Aji as S’Court Justice, five others as state chief judges

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) on Friday recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari the appointment of new Justice of the Supreme Court.
    NJC’s Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, said in a statement that the Council also recommended to the governors of Abia, Benue, Ogun, Oyo and Kwara states, the appointments of heads of courts in their states and other judges.
    Oye said the NJC took the decision at its 87th meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, on October 3 and 4.
    According to him, a Justice of the Court of Appeal, Justice Uwani Musa Abba-Aji, was recommended to Buhari for appointment as a Justice of the Supreme Court.
    Approval of Abba-Aji’s appointment by the President will bring the number of Justices on the apex court’s bench to 17.
    Oye said the NJC also recommended to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State the appointment of Justice Onuoha Arisa Kalu Ogwe as the Chief Judge of the state.
    He said the council also recommended to Governor Samuel Ortom of Benue State the appointment of Justice Aondover Kaka’an as the state’s Chief Judge.
    According to him, the council also recommended to Governor Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State to approve the appointment of Justice Mosunmola Arinola Dipeolu as the Chief Judge of the state.
    Also recommended to Governor Amosun is the appointment of three High Court judges.
    The nominees recommended to the governor are Oludayo Oluwabamise Osunfisan, Olusola Stephen Oloyede, and Olatunde Hassan Oyajinmi.
    Zakariyah Abdulrasaq was recommended to Governor Ahmed Abdulfatah of Kwara State for appointment as a Kadi of the state’s Sharia Court of Appeal, while Justice Eni Esan was recommended for appointment to Governor Abiola Ajimobi of Oyo State as the President of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal.
    “The newly appointed candidates will be sworn-in after the approval of the President and their respective State Governors as the case may be,” Oye said on Friday.

  • BREAKING: NJC recommends dismissal of James Agbadu-Fishim, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia

    BREAKING: NJC recommends dismissal of James Agbadu-Fishim, Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended that President Muhammadu Buhari dismiss two judges accused of corruption by the anti-graft agency, EFCC.
    The affected judges are Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court and James Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
    The NJC said it came to that conclusion after reviewing the allegations against both judges.
    The NJC also rejected the voluntary retirement of another judge and asked that a lawyer be punished by the appropriate legal body.
    The Statement in full:
    PRESS RELEASE
    4th October, 2018
    • NJC recommends the dismissal of two (2) Judges;
    • Reports one private legal practitioner to Disciplinary Committee;
    • Rejects voluntary retirement of a Judge and orders him to refund two (2) years’ salary and emoluments;
    • Issues letter of advice to one (1) Judge;
    • Empanels Committees to investigate four (4) Judges of the Federal High Court.
    The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its 87th Meeting which was held on 3rdOctober 2018, recommended the removal by dismissal from office, of Hon. Mr. Justice R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Federal High Court and Hon. Mr. Justice James T. Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.
    2. Hon. Mr. Justice R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia was recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for removal by dismissal from office pursuant to the findings by the Council on the allegations of misconduct contained in a petition to the Council by the Acting Executive Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mr Ibrahim Magu, alleging that:
    • Hon. Mr. Justice R. N. Ofil-Ajumogobia is a Director/Chief Executive Officer and sole signatory to Nigel and Colive Company contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria;
    • Several personalities, individuals, government officials and business partners lodged funds into various accounts belonging to the Hon. Judge; and
    • There was an ex-parte communication between the Hon. Judge and Mr. Godwin Oblah, SAN, during the pendency of his matter before the His Lordship.
    3. The Council, however, could not consider other allegations in the petition because they are already before a court where the judge is standing trial. Council left those matters for the trial to take its legal course.
    4. Hon. Mr. Justice James T. Agbadu-Fishim of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria was also recommended for removal by dismissal from office sequel to the findings of the Council on the allegations contained in another petition by the Acting Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) alleging that the Hon. Judge received various sums of money from litigants and lawyers that had cases before him, and some influential Nigerians, under the false pretence that he was bereaved or that there was delay in the payment of his salary. This is contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
    5. In the interim, the Council, in exercise of its disciplinary powers under paragraph 21 (d) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, has suspended Hon. Mr. Justices R. N. Ofili-Ajumogobia and James T. Agbadu-Fishim with immediate effect pending their removal from office by the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    6. Council rejected the letter of voluntary retirement, purported to be with effect from the 1st of October 2018, submitted to it by Hon. Mr. Justice Joshua E. Ikede of the Delta State High Court. This followed the findings on an allegation of falsification of age contained in a petition written by Zik Gbemre, National Co-ordinator of Niger Delta Peace Coalition. Council found that the Hon. Judge ought to have retired since 1st October 2016.
    Consequently, it backdated his retirement to 2016 and recommended to the Government of Delta State to deduct from the retirement benefits of the judge, all salaries received by him from October, 2016 till date and remit it to NJC which pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the Federation.
    7. Council also decided to issue a Letter of Advice to Hon. Mr. Justice K. C. Nwakpa of High Court of Abia State to guard against unwarranted utterances in matters before him. This was as a result of a complaint to the Council by one Princewill Ukegbu.
    8. Council considered the reports of various Investigation Committees and dismissed the petitions written against Hon. Mr. Justice Yusuf Halilu of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Mr. Justice E. O. Osinuga of the High Court of Ogun State, and Hon. Mr. Justice E. O. Ononeze-Madu of the High Court of Imo State.
    9. The petition by Wema Bank against Hon. Mr. Justice Yusuf Halilu of the FCT High Court was dismissed because the allegation of misconduct was not established. The judge’s handling of the related matter did not amount to the alleged misconduct.
    10. The petition on allegation of inducement, bias and alteration of Ruling written by David Olawepo Efunwape, Esq. against Hon. Mr. Justice E. O. Osinuga of High Court, Ogun State was found to be false.
    11. Council, therefore, decided to report David Olawepo Efunwape, Esq., to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for appropriate sanctions for making false allegations against a judge.
    12. The petition written by Hon. Eugene Okechukwu Dibiagwu against Hon. Mr. Justice E. O. Ononeze Madu was dismissed by the Council for lack of merit.Council also decided to warn the Petitioner and asked him to apologise to the Hon. Judge for the false allegation of inducement.
    13. New petitions written against twenty-six (26) Judicial Officers from the Federal and State High Courts were considered by Council, after which it resolved to empanel four (4) Committees to investigate.
    14. The remaining petitions were summarily dismissed for obvious and manifest lack of merit, being subjudice, concerning administrative matters, or that such petitions were matters for appeal. The dismissed petitions were against Hon. Mr. Justice J. O. Bada, Presiding Justice, Court of Appeal, Benin Division, Hon. Mr. Justice Abdul-Kafarati, Chief Judge, Federal High Court and Hon. Mr. Justices I. N. Buba, H. R. Shagari, R. M. Aikawa, O. E. Abang all of the Federal High Court; Hon. Mr. Justice Marshal Umukoro, Chief Judge, Delta State and Hon. Mr. Justice E. G. Timi also of the Delta State High Court, Hon. Mr. Justice S. U. Dikko, Chief Judge, Nasarawa State, Hon. Mr. Justice P. N. C. Umeadi, Chief Judge, Anambra State, Hon. Mr. Justices A. O. Opesanwo, A. J. Coker both of Lagos State High Court, Hon. Mr. Justice C. I. Gabriel Nwankwo, President, Customary Court of Appeal, River State, Hon. Mr. Justices C. A. Okirie and G. O. Omeji both of River State High Court, Hon. Mr. Justice Iniabasi Udobong of High Court, Akwa-Ibom State, Hon. Mr. Justice S. O. Falola of High Court, Osun State, Hon. Grand Kadi, Sokoto State, Hon. Mr. Justice I. B. Ahmed of Katsina State High Court and Hon. Mr. Justice Patricia Mahmoud formerly of the Kano State High Court before her elevation to the Court of Appeal.
    Soji Oye, Esq.
    Director, Information

  • NJC recommends appointment of 21 state judges (FULL LIST)

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 21 judges for appointment as chief judges and judicial officers in various states.

    They include judges of the conventional courts and Sharia courts.

    The announcement was made Friday in a statement by the NJC spokesperson, Soji Oye.

    The appointments are subject to co-formation of the president or governors of respective states.

     

    Read the statement below:

    PRESS RELEASE

    11th May, 2018

    The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its 86th Meeting, which was held on 8th and 9th May, 2018, recommended the under-listed names of twenty-one (21) successful candidates as Heads of Courts and Judicial Officers for the Federal/State High Courts and the Code of Conduct Tribunal:

    1. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE, KEBBI STATE
    2. i) Hon. Mr. Justice Elizabeth A. Karatu

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE, KATSINA STATE
    2. i) Hon. Mr. Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF GRAND KADI KATSINA STATE
    2. i) Hon. Kadi Alhafiz Mikail Abubakar

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF PRESIDENT, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, FCT
    2. i) Hon. Mr. Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Saddeeq

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, NIGER STATE
    2. i) Bilikisu Gambo Yusuf
    3. ii) Ishaku Usman

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, BORNO STATE
    2. i) Musa Mustapha
    3. ii) Baba Gani Karumi

    iii) Waziri Alhaji Abubakar

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, KOGI STATE
    2. i) Husaini Alhasan Saidu
    3. ii) Zubayr Saliu

    iii) Ruth Alolo Alfa

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, GOMBE STATE
    2. i) Muhammad Haruna
    3. ii) Fatima Musa

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) KADIS SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, GOMBE STATE
    2. i) Muhammad Inuwa Gombe
    3. ii) Hadi Aminu

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF FOUR (4) KADIS SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, GOMBE STATE
    2. i) Ahmad Muhammad Gidado
    3. ii) Mustapha Lalloki

     

    iii) Dalha Bashir Ahmad

    1. iv) Atiku Muhammad Bello

     

    1. APPOINTMENT OF ONE (1) MEMBER, CODE OF CONDUCT TRIBUNAL
    2. i) Julie Abieyuwa Anabor

    The newly appointed candidates will be sworn-in after the approval of the President and their respective State Governors as the case may be.

     

    Soji Oye

    Director, Information

  • NJC recommends sack of judge, investigates seven others

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the sack of one judge and commenced an investigation of seven others.

    The council, the highest decision making in the judiciary, made the decision at its meeting held on Tuesday and Wednesday in Abuja, according to a statement by its spokesperson, Soyinka Oye.

    Justice Michael Goji of the High Court of Adamawa State was recommended for compulsory retirement “for refusing to proceed on transfer to the Mubi Judicial Division of the State High Court since July, 2017,” Mr Oye said.

    The council also recommended the appointment of 22 judges for various offices.

    Read Mr Oye’s full statement below.

    The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its 86th Meeting which was held on the 8th and 9th May, 2018, recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Mr. Justice Michael Goji of the High Court of Adamawa State for refusing to proceed on transfer to the Mubi Judicial Division of the State High Court since July, 2017.

    Hon. Mr. Justice Michael Goji was recommended for compulsory retirement to Governor Bindo Umaru Jibrilla of Adamawa State sequel to the advice of the State Judicial Service Commission to Council after its Findings on the allegations of misconduct levelled against him.

    The Adamawa State Judicial State Commission had conducted an investigation on the conduct of Hon. Mr. Justice Goji, following the directive of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, after receiving the complaint of his misconduct from the Adamawa State Chief Judge.

    Aside from the recommendation for compulsory retirement, Council also directed that he should refund all salaries received by him from July, 2017 till date, failing which the Adamawa State Government is to deduct the amount from any entitlement due to him and remit same to the National Judicial Council which pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the Federation.

    In the interim, the Council in exercise of its disciplinary powers under the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, has suspended Hon. Mr. Justice Goji from office pending his removal from office.

    Council considered the reports of various Investigation Committees and dismissed petitions written against Hon. Mr. Justice Paul Adamu Galinje of the Supreme Court, Hon. Mr. Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim, Chief Judge, Jigawa State, and Hon. Mr. Justice Peter Umeadi, Chief Judge, Enugu State.

    The petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Paul Adamu Galinje of the Supreme Court was dismissed sequel to its withdrawal by Hon. Yaro Abarshi and Hon. John Yobi Yarafa and others, who alleged that he interfered in a Chieftaincy matter in Taraba State.

    The petition against Hon. Mr. Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim was also dismissed because the Petitioner, Dr Jamil Gwamna who wrote to Babatunde Raji Fashola, SAN, Minister of Power and Works who in turn forwarded same to the National Judicial Council, withdrew the petition. The allegation was that the Hon. Judge ordered the arrest, assault, and detention of staff of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) when they disconnected the electricity at the State High Court and the Judge’s house for non-payment of bills. The Committee that investigated the matter found that the Petitioner could not show or prove that Hon. Mr. Justice Ringim instructed or directed the arrest of KEDCO’s staff.

    Council did not find any reason to further investigate Hon. Mr. Justices Paul Galinje and Aminu Ringim after the withdrawals.

    Petitions written against twenty-five (25) Judicial Officers and others by EFCC were also considered by Council after which it resolved to empanel seven (7) Committees to look into the allegations.

    Petitions against various Judges were dismissed for, lack of establishment of misconduct, being subjudice or that such petitions were matters for appeal. The dismissed petitions were against Hon. Mr. Justices A. I. Chikere and J. T Tsoho, Emeka Nwite and Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Hon. Mr. Justice Adetokunbo Banjoko of FCT High Court, Hon. Mr. Justice Taminu Zailani, Chief Judge, Kaduna, Hon. Mr. Justice M. A. Adeigbe, High Court, Osun State (who had already retired from the Bench), and Hon. Mr. Justice E. N. Ogbuiji, High Court, Rivers State.

    Council at the Meeting also recommended twenty-one (21) Judges for appointment as Chief Judges, Grand Kadi, High Court Judges, Sharia Court Kadis, President, Customary Court of Appeal, and one (1) Member, Code of Conduct Tribunal.

    Council also received the Report of the Performance Evaluation Committee of Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of Record in the Federation on sixteen (16) Judges invited by the Committee to explain their low performance in the last two (2) to four (4) quarters in the year 2017.

     

    Soji Oye, Esq.

    Director, Information

  • BREAKING: NJC announces appointment of 60 judges for 25 states

    BREAKING: NJC announces appointment of 60 judges for 25 states

    The National Judicial Council has announced the appointment of 60 judicial officers in 25 states of the federation.

    The statement was made available to newsmen by NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye on Wednesday.

    Read full statement below.

    =========
    16 MARCH, 2018

    PRESS RELEASE

    The under-listed are the names of the Sixty (60) successful Judicial Officers recommended by the National Judicial Council at its 85th Meeting to their various State Governors.

    1. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE, ONDO STATE

    i) Hon. Justice O. O. Akerodolu

    2. APPOINTMENT OF CHIEF JUDGE, PLATEAU STATE

    i) Hon. Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak

    3. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, ADAMAWA STATE

    i) Danladi Muhammed

    ii) Fatima Ahmed Tafida

    iii) Bulila Ladukiya Ikharo

    4. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) HIGH COURT JUDGES, AKWA-IBOM STATE

    i) Bassey Bassey Nkanang

    ii) Uwem Freedom Ibritam

    5. APPOINTMENT OF ONE (1) JUDGE, HIGH COURT, BENUE STATE

    i) Josephine Mbayan Ayua

    6. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, CROSS RIVER STATE

    i) Imelda Etope Bassey

    ii) Obo Awusa Obo

    iii) Emmanuel Ubua Agianpuye

    7. APPOINTMENT OF FIVE (5) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, DELTA STATE

    i) Dafe Celestina Idise (Mrs)

    ii) Egwu Joe (Mr)

    iii) Okorodas Anthony Ezonfade (Dr)

    iv) Ideh Blessing Adaoleh (Mrs)

    v) Edun Ajueyitsi Joshua (Mr)

    8. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) JUDGES, HIGH COURT, EDO STATE

    i) Irobosa O. A. Omotosho (Mrs)

    ii) Mr Aigbona T. Momodu

    9. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) HIGH COURT JUDGES, SOKOTO STATE

    i) Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed

    ii) Isah Muhammed Bargaja

    10. APPOINTMENT OF ONE (1) HIGH COURT JUDGE, BAUCHI STATE

    i) Adamu Muhammed Kafin-Madaki, Esq

    11. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) HIGH COURT JUDGES, ENUGU STATE

    i) Mrs Joy Lynda Chiama Okibe

    ii) Mrs Veronica Chinyere Ajogwu

    iii) Mrs Esther Nnenna Nkechi Alukwu

    12. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) HIGH COURT JUDGES, YOBE STATE

    i) Musa Kyari Kachalla

    ii) Karima Bulama Yusuf

    13. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) HIGH COURT JUDGES, ANAMBRA STATE

    i) Emeka Samuel Nri-Ezedi, Esq

    ii) Obiora Azuka Nwabunike, Esq

    14. APPOINTMENT OF ONE (1) HIGH COURT JUDGES, EBONYI STATE

    i) Onwosi Uwabunkeonye

    15. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) HIGH COURT JUDGES, LAGOS STATE

    i) Pinheiro Yetunde Rukayat

    ii) Ogunjobi Olukayode Ola

    iii) Soladoye Abiola Oladunni

    16. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) HIGH COURT JUDGES, RIVERS STATE

    i) Augusta Uche K. Chuku

    ii) Ollor Godwin Osaronu

    17. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) HIGH COURT JUDGES, ZAMFARA STATE

    i) Kabiru Umaru

    ii) Habibu Mikalilu

    18. APPOINTMENT OF ONE (1) KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, JIGAWA STATE

    i) Dr. Bala Musa

    19. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KATSINA STATE

    i) Sa’idu Usman Muhammad

    ii) Mohammed Lawal Omar

    iii) Mustapha Sani Saulawa

    20. APPOINTMENT OF ONE (1) KADI, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KWARA STATE

    i) Oniye Adebayo Mas’ud

    21. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, SOKOTO STATE

    i) Kasimu Yusuf

    ii) Umar Liman Abdullahi Sifawa

    22. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, ZAMFARA STATE

    i) Muhammad Shehu Turawa Shinkafi

    ii) Kabir Muhammad Hafiz

    23. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KEBBI STATE

    i) Muhammad Sani Randale

    ii) Usman Abdullahi S. Kudu

    24. APPOINTMENT OF THREE (3) JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, OYO STATE

    i) Abimbola Ayodeji Olatunji-Daniel

    ii) Abdul Ganiyu Tajudeen Muhammad

    iii) Oyafajo Mikail Afolabi

    25. APPOINTMENT OF TWO (2) JUDGES CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, RIVERS STATE

    i) Legor Torbira Senewo

    ii) Onyiri Frank

    Soji Oye, Esq.

    Director, Information

  • NJC recommends sack of Abia Chief Judge, warns others

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has the sack of Theresa Uzokwe, Chief Judge of Abia State and Obisike Oji of Abia State High Court.

    The council said it recommended Ms. Uzokwe’s sack following the recommendation of two panels that investigated allegations against her.

    According to a statement by its spokesperson, Soji Oye, the NJC also issued “stern warnings to Justices S. E Aladetoyinbo and Olusola Ajibike Williams of FCT and Lagos High Courts.”

    The council also set up a “committee to investigate a Supreme Court Justice and two (2) State Chief Judges.

    Read Oye’s full statement below

    • NJC recommends the compulsory retirement of Hon. Mr. Justice Theresa Uzokwe, Chief Judge Abia State and Hon. Justice Obisike Oji of Abia State High Court.
    • Issues stern warnings to Justices S. E Aladetoyinbo and Olusola Ajibike Williams of FCT and Lagos High Courts.
    • Sets up Committee to investigate a Supreme Court Justice and two (2) State Chief Judges.
    • Appoints sixty (60) Judicial Officers for twenty-four (24) States.

    The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its 85th Meeting which was held on the 14th of March, 2018, recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Mr Justice Theresa Uzokwe, Chief Judge, and Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Oji of Abia State High Court of Justice, to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State. The Council also issued stern warnings to Justices S. E. Aladetoyinbo and Olusola Ajibike Williams of the FCT and Lagos State High Courts.

    1. Hon. Mr Justice Theresa Uzokwe was recommended for compulsory retirement following the findings of two investigative committees set up by the Council. The committees investigated petitions against her by Umeh Kalu, SAN, Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice of Abia State, alleging illegal constitution and working with a parallel Judicial Service Commission instead of the one constituted by the State Governor and confirmed by the House of Assembly.

    Hon. Mr Justice Uzokwe was also found to have misconducted himself in Suit No. HU/131/2005, wherein he delivered judgement in the sum of N825, 000 (Eight Hundred and Twenty-five Thousand Naira) only in favour of a Litigant, but subsequently signed a garnishee order of N109, 612, 500 (One Hundred and Nine Million, Six Hundred and Twelve Thousand, Five Hundred Naira) only.

    1. Hon. Mr Justice Obisike Oji was earlier queried by the Council for allowing himself to be sworn-in as acting Chief Judge, and thereby colluding in, and aiding an unconstitutional process. His reply was unsatisfactory and the Council recommended his compulsory retirement.
    2. The NJC reprimanded, seriously warned and placed on the Watch List Hon Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo of the FCT High Court for impropriety in a case between U.L.O. Consultants Ltd v BIL Construction Nigeria Ltd, sequel to a petition by one Uche Luke Okpuno. Council would have sanctioned the Judge more severely but had to take into account the fact that aspects of the case are appealable.
    3. Council also seriously warned Hon Justice Olusola Ajibike Williams of the Lagos State High Court for grave errors of judgment in her level of involvement in a family business. Council found that the Judge, as a judicial officer, should have been more circumspect and conscious of her office. Council’s sanction was as a result of a petition by Chief Ladi Rotimi-Williams, SAN.
    4. Council at the Meeting also considered various petitions written against thirty-one (31) Judicial Officers and resolved to empanel three (3) Investigative Committees against one Justice of Supreme Court and two (2) State Chief Judges.
    5. Petitions against various Justices were dismissed either for lack of merit, lack of evidence of misconduct, being sub judice or that the subject of such petitions were matters for appeal. The dismissed petitions were against Hon. Mr. Justices Abdu Aboki, Theresa Abadua and Ahmed Belgore all of the Court of Appeal; Hon. Mr. Justices J. T. Tsoho, Ayo Emmanuel, Sabiu Yahusa, Zainab B. Abubakar, B. O. Quadri of the Federal High Court; Hon. Mr. Justices A. N. Ubaka and B. B. Kanyip of National Industrial Court; Hon. Mr. Justices Bello Kawu, S. C. Orji, A. N. Talba of the FCT High Court; Hon. Mr. Justice K. C. Nwankpa of High Court Abia State; Hon. Mr. Justice D. A. Onyefulu of High Court Anambra State; Hon. Mr. Justice W. I. A. Effiong High Court Akwa-Ibom State; A. M. Ikpambese, High Court Benue State; Hon. Mr. Justice G. E. Gbemre, High Court Delta State; Hon. Mr. Justice A. O. Onovo, High Court Enugu State; Hon. Mr. Justice Idi Apollos, High Court Gombe State; Hon. Mr. Justice G. O. Ogunsanya, High Court Ogun State; Hon. Mr. Justice A. B. Abdulkarim, High Court Osun State; Hon. Mr. Justice K. A. Ojiako, High Court Imo State and Hon. Mr Justices A. M. Lawal, L. A. Okunnu and L. B. Lawal Akapo, High Court Lagos State.

    Council decided to advise Hon. Mr. Justice J. E. Ikede of Delta State High Court and Hon. Mr. Justice Yusuf Halilu of FCT High Court to be more careful in the course of their judicial duties.

    1. Council decided to refer a petition by Prince Adesina Okuneye against Hon. Mr. Justice Mwada Balami of the FCT High Court to the Police to investigate the allegation of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira) bribe to the Judge for granting bail to an accused person. Council decided that the petition should be put in abeyance until the outcome of the investigation by the Police.
    2. Council at the Meeting also recommended sixty (60) Judicial Officers to Governors of twenty-four (24) for appointment as High Court Judges, Sharia Court Kadis and Customary Court of Appeal Judges.

  • Again, Innoson shuns court, petitions NJC over judge

    Innocent Chukwuma, the Chairman of Innoson Motors Nigeria Ltd., has again failed to appear in court for his arraignment at an Ikeja Special Offences Court.

    Instead, he has petitioned against the judge trying the case.

    Justice Mojisola Dada had on Feb. 9 issued a bench warrant for Innoson’s arrest following his failure to appear in court on Jan. 17 and Feb. 9 to take his plea for an alleged fraud.

    The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) had taken Innoson to court for alleged conspiracy and fraud.

    During Wednesday’s proceedings, Dada said Innoson had filed a petition against her to the National Judicial Commission (NJC).

    Dada said she would not take further steps in the hearing of the case until she responded to the undisclosed grounds in the petition against her.

    “I have no personal interest in this case, in fact, I will be relieved if this case is taken from me as it will be a reduction of my workload.”

    Earlier, Mr George Uwechue (SAN), Counsel to Innoson Motors Nigeria Ltd., told the court that he had filed four applications concerning the case.

    Uwechue said the applications should be heard by the court first before the automobile boss could be arraigned.

    He argued that the EFCC had just served the defence with an amended charge despite a pending appeal in the higher court over the charges.

    “We have just been served with the amended charge by the EFCC, My Lord, there is a Notice of Appeal filed against the order of this Honourable Court.

    “There is also at the Court of Appeal a Notice to Stay Proceedings of this matter, we were not given adequate time to study the charge.

    “The charge is an abuse of court processes, there is a charge pending at the Federal High Court filed against the first defendant by the Federal Government,” he said.

    In his response, Mr A. B. C Ozioko, the lead prosecuting counsel for the EFCC, asked that the arraignment should go as scheduled.

    Ozioko submitted that the applications filed by the defence was a ploy to delay proceedings.

    He said: “The defence running to the NJC is immaterial, this case should not be treated as special, it is like any other case. I hear the first defendant may be in court.

    “The defence filed five applications not four as alleged by the senior advocate.

    “On Jan. 15, they filed an application challenging the jurisdiction of this court; on Jan.18, they asked for a mandatory injunction that the EFCC not be heard in any of the application.

    “On Feb. 5, they filed another application that Your Lordship disqualifies herself, on Feb. 9, they filed an application requesting for the stay of execution of the order of the bench warrant.

    “And on Feb. 12, they asked My Lordship to dismiss the bench warrant. Prof. J. N Mbadugha, the counsel to the second defendant, has abused court processes, it is not meant to harass and intimidate the court.”

    Ozioko noted that EFCC had responded to the five applications and was ready to proceed with the case despite evading of arrest by Innoson by the EFCC.

    “The presence of the SAN cannot change the fact that the defendants must be physically present in court, that is the law.

    “We made efforts to approach the second defendant by going to Enugu, Nnewi, Abuja, and going through the back gate of the Senate and now we are here.”

    NAN reports that Chukwuma and his company, Innoson Motors Nigeria Ltd., are to be arraigned on a four-count charge of conspiracy to obtain property by false pretenses, obtaining property by false pretenses, stealing and forgery.

    According to the charge sheet, the defendants committed the offences between 2009 and July 2011 in Lagos.

    The EFCC alleged that defendants with intent to defraud, conspired to obtain by false pretenses containers of motorcycle, spare parts and raw materials, property of Guaranty Trust Bank (GTB) from Mitsui OSK Lines Ltd, Apapa, Lagos.

    They are alleged to have fraudulently induced staff of Mitsui OSK and Maersk Line to deliver to them via their clearing agents the goods which were imported from China in the name of GTB by falsely pretending that they were authorised by the bank to clear the goods.

    The prosecution claimed that the defendants in order to facilitate the fraud forged a bill of lading numbered 598286020 of Maersk Line Limited and 11007950841 of Mutsui O.S.K Lines by knowingly putting a false GTB stamp and signature of the bank staff.

    The alleged forgery was in order that the forged documents be used or acted upon as genuine to the prejudice of any person within Lagos or elsewhere.

    The offences contravened Sections 1(1)(b), 1(3), and 8(a) of the Advanced Fee Fraud and Other Related Offences Act 2016 and Sections 309(9), 388, 465 and 467(1)(j) of the Criminal Code, Laws of Lagos State 2003.

    The case was adjourned until April 25 for arraignment of Innoson.

  • NJC condemns Ikpeazu’s removal of Abia Chief Judge, suspends acting CJ

    The National Judicial Council has condemned and described as illegal the removal of the chief judge of Abia State,Theresa Uzokwe, by the state’s House of Assembly last week.

    The council also queried and suspended Obisike Orji, the newly appointed judge (acting).

    The regulatory body, NJC, made its decision known in a statement on Wednesday.

    The statement reads in full:

    PRESS RELEASE

    National Judicial Council declares the suspension of Hon. Justice T. U. Uzokwe, Chief Judge, Abia State unconstitutional.

    It queries and suspends the State sworn-in Acting Chief Judge.

    The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Honourable, Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its Emergency Meeting which held today, 31st January, 2018, considered the recent suspension of the Abia State Chief Judge, Hon. Mr. Justice T. U. Uzokwe and the swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge of the State by Governor Okezie Victor Ikpeazu and agreed that the decision to suspend the Chief Judge and the swearing-in of an Acting Chief Judge without the input of the National Judicial Council is unconstitutional, null and void.

    It noted that its attention had been drawn to the crisis in Abia State Judiciary by petitions written against Hon. Mr. Justice T.U. Uzokwe and the one written by the Chief Judge against Hon. Mr. Justice C. U. Okoroafor, but in the course of the investigation by the Committees set up by Council, some elderly Judicial Officers of Abia State Judiciary waded in and pleaded with the Committees to allow the matter to be resolved amicably by them, which was granted by Council at its plenary.

    At the last Meeting of Council which was held on 6th December, 2017, Council directed the Committees to continue and conclude with the petitions before them if there were no reports of the settlement by the peace makers. While this was going on, the problem escalated and Council was informed of the suspension of Hon. Mr. Justice Uzokwe and the swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge.

    In view of the foregoing, Council resolved as follows:

    1) The suspension of the Chief Judge of Abia State by the State House of Assembly without a prior recommendation by the National Judicial Council violates the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

    2) Consequently, the subsequent act of appointing and swearing-in of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge is invalid for being unconstitutional.

    3) Furthermore, the conduct of Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji in presenting himself to be sworn-in raises potential questions of misconduct that Council is now looking into.

    4) Council therefore resolved to query and suspend the Hon. Mr. Justice Obisike Orji pending the outcome of its investigation.

    5) In view of the recent escalation, Council, in the interest of the smooth administration of justice in Abia State, resolved to direct the Chief Judge, Hon. Mr. Justice T. U. Uzokwe, to stay away from duties pending Council’s final decision after consideration of the report of its Panels.

    6) In the prevailing circumstance, whereby the National Judicial Council has directed the Chief Judge not to perform his duties, and the next most senior Judge is suspended, the Governor of Abia State shall appoint Hon. Mr. Justice Onuoha Arisa Kalu Ogwe, the next most senior Judge to act as the Chief Judge of Abia State, pending Council’s final resolution of the matter.

    SOJI OYE, ESQ.

     

  • NJC sacks Justices Ademola, Tokode for misconduct

    NJC sacks Justices Ademola, Tokode for misconduct

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of Justices A. F. A. Ademola and O. O. Tokode, both of the Federal High Court, for misconduct.

    A statement issued on Thursday in Abuja by Soji Oye, NJC’s Director of Information, said the decision was taken at the Council’s 84th meeting on Dec. 6.

    The NJC is chaired by the Chief Justice Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghe.

    The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), reports that Ademola had on same Dec. 6 written a letter notifying the council of his decision to voluntarily retire from the bench.

    Ademola was due for retirement on April 9, 2018, when he would attain the mandatory retirement age of 65 years.

    The council said its decision was pursuant to its findings on the allegation in the petition written against Ademola by Committee of Anambra State PDP House of Representatives Members-Elect.

    The council said the petition had alleged gross misconduct in the handling of a matter they filed before Ademola.

    The council urged the public to disregard news circulating that Ademola had voluntarily retired.

    “The purported voluntary retirement is clearly an afterthought as council had taken action before his decision to forward any voluntary retirement letter.”

    The council further said that Justice Tokode was also recommended to the President for compulsory retirement with immediate effect.

    It said this followed its findings on the allegation contained in petitions forwarded by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project (SERAP) and Miss Abimbola Awogboro.

    “The petitioners accused the judge of misleading the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council.

    ” This was by submitting six judgements he claimed to have personally conducted while practising as a lawyer; a pre-requisite for his application for appointment as a judicial officer, and was so appointed.

    “The investigation committee of council, however, found that the judge personally conducted only one of the six cases submitted.

    ” Therefore, Council decided to recommend his compulsory retirement and the refund of all salaries and allowances he earned since his purported appointment to the position of a Judge to the coffers of the Judiciary.”

    The council said in the interim, both judges were suspended from office with immediate effect.

    The council similarly issued warning letters to Justices A. N. Ubaka of the National Industrial Court, Justice A. M. Lawal of Lagos High Court and Zainab Sadat of the High Court of Niger and placed them both on a watch list.

    It dismissed the petition written by Sen. Ali Modu Sheriff accusing Justice A. Liman of the Federal High Court of corruption.

  • Misconduct: We recommended Justices Ademola, Tokode’s sack to Buhari before they resigned – NJC

    Misconduct: We recommended Justices Ademola, Tokode’s sack to Buhari before they resigned – NJC

    The National Judicial Council said on Thursday that it had recommended Justices Adeniyi Ademola and Segun Tokode, both of the Federal High Court for compulsory retirement over acts of misconduct.

    This was despite that Justice Ademola claimed to have voluntarily resigned on Wednesday.

    A statement by NJC’s Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, said on Thursday that the council at its meeting on Wednesday recommended the two judges to President Muhammadu Buhari for compulsory retirement.

    Oye stated, “He explained that the NJC, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Walter Onnoghen, sanctioned Justice Ademola after finding the allegations contained in a petition sent against him by eight persons under the name of ‘Committee of Anambra State PDP House of Representatives Members-Elect.’

    “The public is hereby informed to disregard news circulating on some news media that Hon. Mr. Justice Ademola has voluntarily retired. The purported voluntary retirement is clearly an afterthought as Council had taken action before his decision to forward any voluntary retirement letter.”

    Part of the allegations he was said to have been found to be culpable of was that the Certified True Copy of a judgment he delivered contains a paragraph that was not read in open court.

    Justice Tokode ,who was appointed to the Federal High Court bench in 2015, was accused in a petition sent by the Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and Miss Abimbola Awogboro, of making false claims to the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the NJC over his appointment qualification.

    He was said to have submitted six judgments he claimed to have personally conducted while practising as a lawyer.

    Only one of the judgments was said to be truly conducted by him.

    The submission of six judgments to the FJSC and NJC was said to be a pre-requisite for his application for appointment as a judge.

    He was therefore ordered to refund the salaries and allowances he earned since his “purported appointment to the position of a judge” to the coffers of the judiciary.

    The statement stated in part, “The National Judicial Council, under the Chairmanship of the Hon. The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Mr. Justice Walter Samuel Nkanu Onnoghen, GCON, at its 84th meeting which was held on November 26, 2017, recommended the compulsory retirement from office of Hon. Mr. Justice A. F. A. Ademola and Hon. Mr. Justice O. O. Tokode both of the Federal High Court for misconduct.

    “Hon. Mr. Justice A. F. A. Ademola who had forwarded his notice of retirement on 10th October, 2017 to the Council against 9th April, 2018, when he will attain the mandatory retirement age of 65 years was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, pursuant to the findings by the Council on the allegation contained in the petition written against His Lordship by a group of eight persons under the name of Committee of Anambra State PDP House of Representatives Members-Elect alleging His Lordship of the following:

    “That His Lordship heard their Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/177/2015 which was adjourned for judgment on March 25, 2015;

    “That on the adjourned date, His Lordship did not deliver the judgment but adjourned the case sine die, to await the decision of the Supreme Court on another matter on the same issue, on the list of PDP candidates for Anambra State for the General Elections of 2015;

    “That His Lordship speedily heard and delivered judgment in another case in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/254/2015 filed later on the same issues, with intent to confer undue advantage on the Plaintiff who is from a family with which the respondent has relationship;

    “That the Certified True Copy of the judgment ultimately given to the petitioners contained a paragraph that was not read in open court by the Hon. Judge and that a phrase was altered, all to address an issue raised in the appeal that had already been filed by the Petitioner before the issuance of Certified True Copy;

    “That some of the reasoning and conclusions of the Hon. Judge were somersaults;

    “That the respondent finally delivered judgment in the case on July 8, 2016, five (5) months after the Supreme Court delivered the judgment he was awaiting contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days.

    “Though the petitioners withdrew their petitions in accordance with the Regulation 16 of the National Judicial Council Judicial Discipline Regulations of 9th March, 2017, Council viewed His Lordship’s action of non-delivery of judgment within the stipulated time as misconduct contrary to Section 292 (1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended and Rules 1.3 and 3.7 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”

    On Tokode’s case, the statement stated, “Hon. Mr. Justice O. O. Tokode of the same Federal High Court was also recommended to President Muhammadu Buhari, GCFR, for compulsory retirement from office with immediate effect sequel to the findings of Council on the allegation contained in petitions forwarded by Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project and Miss Abimbola Awogboro.

    “The petitioners accused the Hon. Judge of misleading the Federal Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council, by submitting six judgments he claimed to have personally conducted while practising as a lawyer; a pre-requisite for his application for appointment as a Judicial Officer, and was so appointed.

    “The Investigation Committee of Council however found that the Hon. Judge personally conducted only one of the six cases submitted.

    “Therefore, Council decided to recommend his compulsory retirement and the refund of all salaries and allowances he earned since his purported appointment to the position of a judge to the coffers of the judiciary.

    “In the interim, the National Judicial Council in exercise of its power under paragraph 21 sub-paragraph (d) of the Third Schedule of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, as amended, has suspended Hon. Mr. Justices A. F. A. Ademola and O. O. Tokode from office with immediate effect.”

    The NJC said it also issued serious warning letters to four judges and placed them on a watch list.

    The statement added, “All judicial officers placed on ‘watch-list’ of the Council will not be elevated or considered for special assignments during the period they are on the list.

    “Within that period, Council reserves the right to consider their suitability or otherwise to continue as judicial officers based on their performance.”

    The affected judges are, Justice A. N. Ubaka of the National Industrial Court; Justice Zainab Aliyu Sadat of the High Court of Niger State; Justice A. M. Lawal of Lagos State High Court and Justice Linda Amina Yarosi of the Customary Court of Appeal.

    It stated, “The Council also issued serious warning letters to Hon. Mr. Justice A. N. Ubaka of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria for failure to deliver Ruling in Suit No. NICN/BEN/51/2014 within the time specified by law.

    “The Council did not accept the reasons given for failure to deliver the ruling within time.

    “The Hon. Judge has also been placed on watch-list of the Council for the next one year.

    “Council also gave a warning letter to Hon. Mr. Justice Zainab Aliyu Sadat of the High Court of Niger State and placed her on the watch-list for three years for claiming that the defendant in Suit No: NHSC/MN/46/2016 failed to make available authority cited by them after submission of the argument to her.

    “Hon. Mr. Justice A. M. Lawal of Lagos State High Court was also issued a warning letter and placed on ‘watch list’ for one year by the Council for unnecessary delay in delivering his ruling and giving his personal phone number to parties.

    “Council also directed Hon. Mr. Justice Linda Amina Yarosi of the Customary Court of Appeal to resume duty from her sick leave immediately and placed on ‘watch list’ for three months.”

    The NJC was also said to have dismissed the petitions against nine judges.

    One of the dismissed petitions was by a former National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Ali Modu Sheriff, against Justice A. Liman of the Federal High Court.

    Sheriff, who accused Justice Liman of corruption, was said to have failed to honour the invitation of the Investigation Committee on the three occasions that he sat to investigate the matter.

    Those who were also exonerated were Hon. Mr. Justice F. I. Kola-Olalere and Justice B. B. Kanyip both of the National Industrial Court of Nigeria.

    The statement added that the petitions written against Chief Judge, Rivers State Justice Adama Iyayi-Laminkara; Chief Judge, Niger State, Mr. Justice Maria Sanda Zukogi’; Justice Eyo Effiom Ita of High Court, Cross River State; Justices S. A. Orugboyo and R. I. B. Adebiyi of High Court, Lagos State, were dismissed by the Council as all the Petitioners withdrew them and Council found no serious issues for further consideration in the allegations.

    The petition written against Hon. Kadi Al-Hafis M. Abubakar of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal by Mr. Ibrahim Mukhtar Mashi was dismissed by the Council for lack of merit.

    The statement added, “Council exonerated Hon. Mr. Justice Simon Akpah Amogeda of the Federal High Court from corruption allegation by Ernest J. Henry, who could not substantiate his allegation.

    “The Council decided to write the Petitioner a warning letter for maligning the name of the Hon. Judge.”