NJC sets up probe panel for 3 judges, queries judge’s health

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has set up a probe panel to investigate three High Court judges who issued conflicting ex-parte orders on the same subject matter and two others for misconduct.

The names of the three judges and areas of jurisdiction were, however, not disclosed.

The NJC also constituted a medical board to ascertain the health status of Justice Amina Yaroson of the Kaduna State Customary Court of Appeal.

It also issued a warning letter to Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court for descending into the arena of conflict in a matrimonial suit number: OHC/ IMC/2018, and an advice letter to another judge.

A statement by the Director of Information of the NJC, Soji Oye in Abuja yesterday said the decisions were reached at the 95th meeting of the Council on September 15 and 16, 2021.

Part of the statement reads, “Council, at its plenary, considered the reports of the two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees (PCAC) on the petitions written against 18 judicial officers, and on the recommendation of the committee, issued a letter of advice to Hon Justice Elias O. Abua of the Cross River State High Court, to in future be wary of granting an order staying the execution of judgement, which appeared executory in nature as the one he granted in suit number HC/ MSC/67/2019.

“Council, however, dismissed the petitions written against Justices I. E. Ekwo and Ayo-Emmanuel of the Federal High Court; Justices O. O. Ogunjobi, S. B. A. CandideJohnson and S. A. Onigbanjo of the High Court of Lagos State; Justices Chiwendu Nwogu, S. C. Amadi and A. U. Kingsley Chuku, for either lacking in merit, sub-judice or statute-barred.

“Other petitions dismissed for the same reasons were those written against Justice I. K. Banu, Chief Judge of Adamawa; Justice A. L. Lagre, president, Customary Court of Appeal, Adamawa; Justice Felibus B. Andetur, Chief Judge of Taraba State; Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi of Ondo State High Court; Justice Nse Emeka Daniel of the Akwa-Ibom State High Court and Justice H. T. D. Gwadah of the Kaduna State High Court.

“Council, however, decided not to consider the petition written against Justice I. U. Bello as he had already retired from service.”

The NJC also considered notifications of retirement of 22 judges of the federal and state high courts and of the death of three judges of states.