NJC Sets up Four committees to Investigate 27 judges over Alleged Misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has launched a comprehensive probe into allegations of misconduct against 27 judges nationwide, following a two-day meeting in Abuja from August 14 to 15. To facilitate a thorough investigation, the council has established four special committees, tasked with examining the allegations and reporting their findings. This decisive action underscores the NJC’s commitment to upholding the integrity and accountability of the judiciary.

The council,according to its spokesman,Soji Oye, also elected to discard petitions written against the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho and other judicial officers both of the Court of Appeal and High Courts.

But it issued a letter of advice to Justice O. M. Olagunju of Oyo State High Court “to be circumspect as a judicial officer before acting, even in the most challenging situation.”

The NJC,in the statement, said the letter of advice to Justice Olagunju Oye came about after the council “considered the report of the committee it set up, and mandated it to invite the Hon. Judge to appear before it to defend his uncouth language in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, challenging council’s decision viz-a-viz its Policy Direction on Appointment of President Court of the Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State.”

It added:”Council, at the meeting, considered the report of its preliminary complaints Assessment Committee on 22 petitions written against 27 judicial officers of the Federal and State High Courts and decided to empanel four committees to investigate allegations in the petitions that were found meritorious.

“The remaining 18 petitions were discountenanced for lacking of merit, abandoned, or being sub-judice.

“The discountenanced petitions are against Hon. Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, CFR, President Court of Appeal, Hon. 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 Hon. Justice J. T. Tsoho, OFR, Chief Judge Federal High Court, Hon. 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, Hon. Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court, Hon. Justice Babagana Karumi of the High Court Borno State, Hon. Justice Maimuna A. Abubakar of the High Court of Niger State, Hon. Justice A. A. Aderibigbe of Osun State High Court and Hon. Justice Aisha B. Aliyu of Nasarawa State High Court.

“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, were also discountenanced.

“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.

“In his final meeting before retirement, Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the council members and secretariat for their unwavering support and collaboration during his tenure. He urged them to extend the same level of cooperation to his successor, ensuring a seamless transition. The council members, in turn, paid glowing tributes to the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, wishing him a healthy and fulfilling retirement as he embarks on this new chapter.”