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Tag: Lagos State High Court

  • Harvesters Church pastors, police officers risk jail over land takeover

    Harvesters Church pastors, police officers risk jail over land takeover

    The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has authorised the service of contempt proceedings through national newspapers against senior pastors and top police officers over the alleged disobedience of a subsisting court judgment on a prime parcel of land at the Gbagada Industrial Estate, Lagos.

    Justice O.A. Ogala, on November 4, granted leave to 11 Plc, the judgment creditor, to serve Forms 48 and 49, which are statutory notices warning of the consequences of disobedience of court orders, on some of the alleged contemnors by substituted means, following claims that they had frustrated the execution of a valid court judgment.

    The court specifically authorised service of the contempt processes on the first to fourth alleged contemnors through publication in widely circulated national newspapers, including The Punch, ThisDay, The Guardian or The Nation.

    The dispute arose from Suit No. ID/1795/2009, in which the court, on December 6, 2022, delivered judgment in favour of 11 Plc, declaring it the rightful owner and granting it possession of a property known as Plot 5, Block B, Gbagada Industrial Estate, Gbagada, Shomolu Local Government Area of Lagos State.

    Certified court documents showed that the judgment was duly executed by the Deputy Sheriff of the High Court of Lagos State, who lawfully placed the company in exclusive possession of the property.

    According to affidavits before the court, 11 Plc enjoyed peaceful possession of the land from April 15, 2025, until April 24, 2025, when police officers allegedly acting under the instructions of senior officers forcefully evicted the company and padlocked the premises, thereby denying it access to the property.

    Listed among the alleged contemnors are Harvesters International Christian Centre and three of its trustees, Pastors Bolaji Idowu, Omowunmi Idowu and Adedeji Agboade, as well as senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, including CSP Mariam Ogunmolasuyi of the Anti-Piracy Unit, Mr. Adegoke Fayoade, the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Onikan, Lagos, and the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

    In an affidavit sworn to by Gbenga Onilude, a litigation officer at BA LAW LLP, solicitors to 11 Plc, the company alleged that the religious body and its trustees, described as privies of one of the judgment debtors, Ayodele Eniola, Esq., continued to assert ownership over the land despite the subsisting judgment of the court.

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    The company further accused the police officers of exceeding their constitutional powers by reopening issues of ownership and title already conclusively determined by the court.

    The affidavit alleged that officers attached to Zone 2 Police Command invited the parties on several occasions and purportedly examined title documents and court judgments, effectively sitting as an appellate court over a binding High Court decision.

    It was further alleged that while the police locked the judgment creditor out of the property, they granted the rival claimants unrestricted access to the same premises in clear violation of the court’s orders.

    Court records further showed that no appeal has been filed by the judgment debtors challenging the December 2022 judgment or the perpetual injunctive reliefs granted in favour of 11 Plc.

    The company maintained that the continued occupation of the property and refusal to vacate it amounted to a flagrant act of contempt and a direct affront to the authority of the court.

  • Man seeks justice over late father’s will

    Man seeks justice over late father’s will

    Kolawole Adesina’s struggle to have his late father’s will read by the Lagos State High Court has exposed a bitter family feud and allegations of fraud that threaten to unravel a longstanding legacy of wealth and trust.

    The son of the late Prince Emmanuel Olanipekun Adesina, a former senior UBA manager, Kolawole embarked on a mission to recover his father’s missing investments, which he alleges were misappropriated by some family members during his father’s declining health and after his death in 2006.

    His quest to uncover the truth has nearly cost him his life and resulted in legal battles that further deepened the family rift.

    Prince Adesina was married to the late Mrs. Frances Omorolaun Adesina, with whom he had two children: Kolawole and Adenike Oluwabunmi Adesina-Kupolati. With their children living abroad for decades, the couple took in a nephew, Franklin Erinle, who later became central to the controversy.

    After the father’s death, the family estate was administered by Mrs. Adesina and the children under Letters of Administration issued by the High Court in 2009. Properties including buildings in Ikeja and Iwaya were divided among the family. However, Kolawole noted that for 15 years after his father’s passing, he was excluded from accessing his father’s belongings or clarifying matters with his mother, causing rising tensions.

    The turning point came in January 2022 when Mrs. Adesina fell ill with kidney failure and dementia, prompting Kolawole to stay back in Nigeria and take care of her. Upon entering his late father’s locked room for the first time in 15 years, Kolawole discovered boxes and bags containing critical documents revealing widespread forgery, theft, and disappearance of family assets, including evidence suggesting his father had been impersonated to unlawfully sell properties.

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    Following Mrs. Adesina’s death in April 2022, Kolawole learned from the reading of her will that many assets previously under Letters of Administration reappeared in her will. More concerning was the fact that Franklin Erinle, who was never an administrator for the father’s estate, was named an administrator in the mother’s will, raising serious doubts about the estate’s management.

    A major breakthrough came when a longtime family caregiver, Aminat Ibrahim Sherima, delivered a sealed letter from Prince Adesina dated 2002, indicating the existence of a last will and testament lodged at UBA Bank for safekeeping. Subsequent lawyer inquiries confirmed the bank was holding a formal will lodged since January 2006, contradicting prior claims that the late banker died intestate.

    Questions now surround the role of the family’s law firm that facilitated Letters of Administration for the estate while allegedly holding knowledge of the will that was never executed—adding to suspicions of estate mismanagement.

    Kolawole’s pursuit of justice has come with significant personal cost. In February 2023, he was attacked with acid by unknown assailants following a peace meeting with Erinle. He has also faced charges of threat to life, malicious damage, and conduct likely to cause breach of peace, resulting in a week’s detention at Kirikiri prisons before the court dismissed the cases for lack of diligent prosecution.

    Meanwhile, the Probate Registrar’s attempts to read the original will have stalled amid legal objections from Adenike’s lawyers, Afe Babalola & Co,  who argue the will is “highly suspicious” and subject to ongoing police investigations.

  • A question of empathy

    A question of empathy

    It is thought-provoking that a posthumous birthday celebration triggered questions about murder and government compensation because the death was connected to government-related operations.

    The family of Bamise Ayanwola marked her birthday on November 30, seven months after her killer was sentenced to death.  Her sister, Damilola, was reported saying, “We only have judgment, and for justice to be served, they must at least compensate my family. Bamise was killed inside the government’s own property, and a government worker also did the evil to her.”

     She argued that her parents “deserve compensation after everything they have suffered emotionally.”  They “cried almost every day,” she said, adding, “Two of my elder sisters now battle high blood pressure. I also had to undergo a brain scan after breaking down from stress.”

    “They only promised justice, and we appreciate that. But justice is not complete without compensation,” she said.

     Justice Serifat Sonaike of the Lagos State High Court, Tafawa Balewa Square Annexe, on May 2, sentenced a Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) driver, Andrew Ominikoron, to death by hanging for the murder of 22-year-old Bamise Ayanwola in February 2022. She was a fashion designer found dead “in a naked state” on Carter Bridge, Lagos Island, nine days after she was declared missing after she boarded a BRT vehicle.

    The shocking case of rape and murder gripped public attention from the beginning till the verdict was delivered. Ayanwola was going to Oshodi from Ajah, and was said to have observed that she was the only passenger in the bus and the driver was not picking up other people on the route.  She was suspicious and fearful, and was said to have sent voice notes to her friend, describing her situation. Information she had provided helped in locating the bus and the driver after she was declared missing.

    Justice Sonaike said she “died from severe cerebral injury and blunt force trauma, and his actions and inactions led to her death.” The judge also said there was proof of a rape attempt and “the resultant death must have ensued when she resisted the defendant.” She noted that Ominikoron “admitted he was alone with her in the bus and where her body was dropped and failed to return to the place to help her and ran away to another state without reporting the case.”

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    The driver, said to be 47 at the time of the incident, was on the run when he was arrested in Ososa, Ogun State.  He said some gunmen had taken Ayanwola away after forcing him to stop around Carter Bridge, Lagos.  “I picked her from Chevron and I picked the other three guys at Agungi; when those guys showed me a gun as I was driving, fear came over me, so whatever they asked me to do, I did,” he narrated after his arrest. He said they ordered him to stop on Carter Bridge, asked him to open the door and “they started dragging her. I saw her crying for help but I was helpless. When the issue happened, I ran away because I was afraid.”

    In addition to the death sentence for Ayanwola’s murder, the court also found him guilty of rape involving one Nneka Maryjane Ozezulu and sentenced him to life imprisonment. The incident happened in November 2021.  He was also found guilty of sexual assault on one Victoria Anoke and sentenced to three years imprisonment. The incident occurred in December 2021.

    Justice Sonaike noted that the rape incidents occurred within three months, describing him as a “serial rapist who took advantage of his position.”  Indeed, she further noted that there might be other rape victims “who for fear or shame failed to come forward and give evidence against the defendant.”

    It is disturbing that the incidents were linked to Ominikoron’s work as a driver of a government-owned bus.  Importantly, his trial raised serious questions about public transportation security.

    Notably, during the trial, Ominikoron had explained that when BRT drivers pick up passengers illegally after their official hours, they usually tell them to sit at the back of the bus so that monitoring officials would not see them in the bus and sanction the drivers. According to him, this practice is called ‘Korokpe.’  This was the context when he picked up Ayanwola on February 26, 2022, around 7pm, near the Conservation Centre, Lekki-Ajah Expressway, Lagos.

    It is commendable that the state government ensured his prosecution. It is significant that the judge described the case as “an eye-opener for everyone.” The authorities were expected to reassure the public by reviewing the driver recruitment process and bus monitoring system to ensure passenger safety at all times.

    On the question of compensation raised by Bamise Ayanwola’s family, the Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Gbenga Omotoso, was reported saying the Ministry of Justice would be consulted to determine if the court had ordered compensation.

    His words: “The unfortunate incident was a legal matter handled by the Ministry of Justice. I will need to talk to the Ministry and get information about whether there was a pronouncement for compensation.

    “However, the state ensured that the criminal was brought to book, and he was given the sentence of death.”

    Is the commissioner suggesting that the state government is unwilling to   consider paying compensation based on empathy? Surely, there is a place for empathy in this matter.

    It is noteworthy that rights groups are calling for a standard compensation framework for casualties in such contexts. Where such systemic support is lacking, the affected persons may well need to seek judicial intervention.

    Indeed, there is some merit in the argument that compensation in such cases should not necessarily be court-ordered or come from private charity. However, such reasoning seems reasonable only in the context of empathetic governance.  

    What can be observed from this case is that a government with a human face may lack a human heart.

  • Court voids injunction in Hampton Island Land Dispute

    Court voids injunction in Hampton Island Land Dispute

    Justice E.O. Ashade of the Lagos State High Court has declared that the interim injunction granted on March 25, 2025, in a land dispute between Capital Gardens Limited and Oretol Nigeria Limited has been rendered ineffective.

    The court held that the order was no longer valid because the parties had since complied with court’s the pre-action protocol, which formed the basis for the injunction.

    The suit, filed by Capital Gardens Limited, is over a four-hectare parcel of unreclaimed, submerged land within the approximately 40-hectare Hampton Island Estate in Lekki, Lagos.

    The disputed area is marked in Survey Plan No. FAI/3454/A01/2024/LA, dated February 8, 2024, and signed by Registered Surveyor A.I. Fashina.

    The court ordered both parties to refrain from publishing any information regarding the dispute on social media or other platforms.

    Court documents confirm that the entire Hampton Island Estate spans about 40 hectares with a government-approved layout, contrary to reports.

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    The current dispute affects only four hectares—specifically, a submerged area yet to be reclaimed. The remainder of the estate is unaffected by the ongoing litigation.

    The disagreement stems from a 2020 transaction in which Oretol Nigeria Limited, the developer of the estate, agreed to allocate four hectares to Capital Gardens Limited upon full reclamation of the land.

    However, delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent economic disruptions led to inflation and increased costs, rendering the project impracticable.

    Oretol eventually terminated the agreement, prompting Capital Gardens Limited to file the current lawsuit challenging the termination.

  • Judge refuses to bar journalists from covering land case

    Judge refuses to bar journalists from covering land case

    The Lagos State High Court in Ikeja has refused an application to bar journalists from covering and reporting on a land case.

    A renowned medical doctor and international consultant, Dr. Ojo Ademola Oluwatosin, filed the case following an attempt to forcefully take over a Lagos land belonging to him.

    Justice Akinkunmi Idowu declined the plea by a defendant’s counsel, Mr. Kehinde Akerele.

    Akerele had prayed the court to caution the claimant against publishing the court’s proceedings in the media.

    The judge held that he could not restrain the media from covering the proceedings, especially if the report is accurate and reflects what happened in court.

    Justice Idowu said journalists have a constitutional duty to report whatever occurs in an open court.

    The claimant’s counsel, Dr Adekunle Ojo (SAN), denied publishing the court proceedings in the media.

    He stressed that journalists were at liberty to report on any case without prompting.

    Respondents in the suit LD/15415LMW/24 are Starmark Finance Company Ltd, Stephen Ajibade-Abisuga, Tunju Solaja and Peter Omotosho, an engineer.

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    The claimant is praying the court to restrain the defendants from usurping his right of ownership of the land in Lekki, Lagos.

    At the last hearing, Dr. Ojo had informed the court of an application dated February 19 praying the court to order the withdrawal of the law firm of the Attorney-General of Lagos State and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Lawal Pedro (SAN), from handling the case.

    The claimant’s lawyer’s application was hinged on the fact that the law firm, Lawal Pedro SAN & Associates, which represents the first defendant, cannot do so “on the ground of conflict of interest.”

    The claimant is also praying the court “to set aside the order for change of counsel of the first defendant to the Law firm of Lawal Pedro (SAN) & Associates granted on the 18th February 2025.”

    The claimant hinged his application on the ground that the “office of the Attorney-General had earlier issued DPP advice against the party his private law firm, Lawal Pedro (SAN) & Associates, seeks to represent.”

    The claimant also argued that the first defendant, as represented by Lawal Pedro and Associates, suppressed fact before the court that the Attorney-General is “the principal partner/founder of Lawal Pedro (SAN) & Associates who issued a DPP’s advice criminally indicting the company and some individuals, recommending them for prosecution”.

    Counsel to the first respondent, Mr Kehinde Akerele, informed the court that he had two pending applications which had been served on all the parties.

    One of the applications, dated April 7, seeks the leave of the court to allow the first respondent to change the address of service.

    The claimant’s counsel informed the court that he had just been served and that he needed time to respond.

    Justice Idowu adjourned until May 20 for the claimant’s counsel to file his response and for hearing.

  • Court sets March 26 for $60,206.66 unpaid commission case against FCMB

    Court sets March 26 for $60,206.66 unpaid commission case against FCMB

    A Lagos State High Court sitting in Osborne, Ikoyi, has adjourned the hearing of a Case Management Conference (CMC) till March 26, 2025, in a suit filed by businessman Michael Ogbole, demanding $60,206.66 as unpaid commission from First City Monument Bank (FCMB).

    Justice O.O. Oshin fixed the date when the case came up for mention yesterday.

    When the case was called, the claimant’s counsel Taiwo Olawanle, from Falana & Falana Chambers informed the court that they have served the defence the court processes.

    FCMB was represented by Gbenga Okeniyi.

    The court has already issued notices for the Case Management Conference, which requires the physical presence of all parties involved.

    Ogbole, in suit number LD/ADR/4635/2022, filed by his legal team at Falana & Falana Chambers accused FCMB of excluding him from the deal.

    According to the claimant, on June 2, 2016, he met with FCMB’s Group Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ladi Balogun, to discuss how he could assist the bank in securing financing from Sky Enterprise LLC, a Florida-based firm specialising in trade finance, risk, and debt management.

    Following their conversation, Balogun allegedly directed Ogbole to contact FCMB’s Treasurer, Mr. Gerald Ikem, who introduced him to Mr. Nomso Ezenta, Head of Structured Funding and Correspondent Banking, to coordinate the transaction.

    Ogbole claimed that on September 2, 2016, he arranged a meeting between Sky Enterprise’s Global Director for Africa, Mr. Yinka Akinlabi, and FCMB officials at the bank’s headquarters to structure the trade finance deal.

    Present at the meeting were senior FCMB officials, including other top executives.

    Afterwards, the parties exchanged several emails and phone calls to finalise the transaction.

    However, in February 2021, Ogbole discovered that FCMB had proceeded with the deal through Sky British, a subsidiary of Sky Enterprise LLC, without his involvement.

    This was allegedly confirmed by FCMB’s Annual Report and Financial Statements for the year ending December 31, 2020.

    On October 12, 2021, Ogbole, through his lawyers, demanded payment of $60,206.66—representing a one per cent commission on the $6,020,660 facility secured by FCMB from Sky British.

    After FCMB failed to respond, another demand letter was sent on January 19, 2022.

    Despite these efforts, Ogbole claims FCMB has refused to make the payment.

    The claimant is seeking the following reliefs: “A declaration that FCMB’s failure to pay him for his role in the deal constitutes a breach of contract.

    “An order directing FCMB to pay the sum of $60,206.66, plus 21% interest accrued since December 31, 2020.

    “N20 million in general and exemplary damages, and N5 million for the cost of the lawsuit.

    Tthe bank, through its lawyer, Prof. Wale Olawoyin (SAN), contended that the suit is a “gold-digging exercise” by the claimant, describing the claim as vexatious, outrageous, and without merit.

    The bank argued that the suit should be dismissed with substantial costs.

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    Meanwhile, the defendant acknowledged that in 2016, the then Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Ladi Balogun, was approached by Ogbole in a public place, where he presented his case, claiming to have the network to broker dollar loans for Nigerian banks, including FCMB.

    Subsequently, Ogbole, primarily through telephone conversations, emails, and two physical meetings, engaged in several discussions with other top FCMB executives.

    According to the bank, the discussions centred on the possibility of Ogbole and his partner, Yinka Akinlabi of Sky Enterprises LLC, facilitating offshore dollar loans and/or financing for the purchase of one of FCMB’s customers’ vessels.

    The bank asserted that during meetings with Ogbole and his partner, it became clear that they lacked the required capacity, experience, and understanding of the international finance market to broker the proposed transaction.

    FCMB further claims that at no point did the bank, or anyone acting on its behalf, make any commitment or agreement with Ogbole, his partner, or their representatives regarding commission or any other terms.

  • Kenya’s Ruto chooses interior minister as new deputy

    Kenya’s Ruto chooses interior minister as new deputy

    Kenya’s President William Ruto has nominated interior minister Kithure Kindiki as his new deputy president, a day after the Senate voted to impeach Ruto’s previous deputy Rigathi Gachagua.

    “I have received a message from … the president, regarding the nomination of Prof. Kithure Kindiki to fill the vacancy which has occurred in the office,” Speaker Moses Wetang’ula said in parliament on Friday.

    It will be recalled that Kenya’s senate voted to dismiss Deputy President Rigathi Gachagua from office by impeachment on five out of 11 charges levelled against him on Thursday, in an unprecedented move that risks pushing the country towards a political crisis.

    The National Assembly voted last week to impeach Gachagua, who helped President William Ruto win an election two years ago but has been assailed by allies of the president over alleged disloyalty and a series of provocative public comments.

    Fifty-four out of 67 senators voted to dismiss Gachagua on the first count of “gross violation of the constitution”, more than the two-thirds majority required under the law.

    That makes him the first Kenyan president or deputy president forced from office by impeachment.

    “Accordingly, His Excellency Rigathi Gachagua… ceases to hold office,” said Senate Speaker Amason Kingi.

    The process, however, is unlikely to stop there as Gachagua has filed several petitions challenging the push to oust him, and the chief justice has appointed a panel of three judges to examine them.

    Gachagua, who has denied the allegations, had been due to defend himself against the charges in the Senate on Thursday afternoon ahead of the vote.

    When he failed to show up, his lawyer Paul Muite said the deputy president had been hospitalised with intense chest pains, urging the Senate to pause proceedings for a couple of days.

    But the senate declined to do so, prompting Gachagua’s legal team to leave the chambers in protest.

    Dan Gikonyo, a doctor treating Gachagua, told reporters the deputy president was admitted to a Nairobi hospital with heart trouble on Thursday afternoon, but was now stable and would likely have to remain in hospital for 24-72 hours.

    Some senators questioned the decision to proceed with the vote, in Gachagua’s absence.

    “We are to try a man in hospital because the only crime that Rigathi Gachagua has committed is a political crime, so he has to be removed out of the way, whatever it will take,” said Senator John Methu.

    But Senator Moses Otieno Kajwang defended the move to impeach Gachagua, saying, “we must drain the swamp”.

    The new deputy president, Kindiki, a close ally of Ruto, has held the interior ministry post throughout Ruto’s two years as president.

    He previously served as senator for Tharaka Nithi County and was a top contender to be Ruto’s running mate during the 2022 election.

    Parliament will later have to vote to approve Kindiki’s appointment before he is sworn in.

    (Reuters/NAN)

  • Court to hear rights suit March 7

    Court to hear rights suit March 7

    The Lagos State High Court in Eti-Osa will on March 7 hear an application on a fundamental rights suit by A4 Realty Limited over an alleged encroachment on its land.

    The plaintiff seeks a court order to preserve its right to the property situated at Ojomo Chieftaincy Layout in Eti-Osa, which it purchased from Access Bank Plc.

    A4 Realty Limited had filed a fundamental rights suit against the bank and five others.

    At the resumption of the case, the applicant’s counsel Gbenga Ajala with Ife Omonijo and the fourth respondent’s counsel Fanen Anem with N. C. Mutfwang announced their appearances.

    Justice Ganiyu Safari drew their attention to a letter seeking adjournment written by Access Bank’s counsel.

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    Ajala and Fanen opposed the application for adjournment.

    They urged the court to award costs against the bank’s counsel and his counterpart for Trebesak Nigeria Limited for truncating the business of the day by their absence.

    Ruling, Justice Safari agreed that counsel for Access Bank ought to have written to his colleagues as well as substantiating the basis for his application with proof.

    He also noted that Trebesak Nigeria neither wrote nor appeared in court.

    Consequently, having both failed to be present on a date fixed for the hearing, the court ordered them to pay both A4 Realty Limited and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) the sum of N100,000 each before the next date.

  • Lagos CJ inaugurates 47 new sheriffs to quicken trials, justice

    The Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Opeyemi Oke, on Monday inaugurated 47 newly-recruited court sheriffs to quicken trials and justice delivery.

    Justice Oke charged them to shun corruption and be above board in the discharge of their duties.

    The court sheriffs are responsible for serving court papers on litigants as well as enforcing the orders and judgments of the court.

    Justice Oke, at the induction, which held at the premises of the Lagos State High Court in Ikeja, noted that the sheriffs were critical to the smooth running and efficiency of the justice system.

    According to her, the court could not assume jurisdiction without the proper service of the originating processes.

    She explained that the recruitment and training of the new court sheriffs were targeted at overhauling the old order characterized by “complaints of delays in service, failure to serve, falsification of affidavits of service, delays in reporting service, laziness, ineptitude, corruption, among other issues”.

    The Chief Judge said the recruitment was part of her administration’s “wide range of far-reaching innovations” to address the some of the lapses in the justice system.

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    “You are a new breed. You represent a new dispensation in the Sheriff Corps, and by the Grace of the Almighty God, you have come in at this time to breathe new life and, by God’s grace, to change the old order.

    “You cannot afford to blend with the system. You are expected to stand out, you are expected to stand for what is right at all times.

    “Shun all forms of corruption and take your jobs seriously,” the CJ told the new recruits.

    She disclosed that a number of the old sheriffs had been dismissed for unethical conducts.

    At the ceremony, the 47 new sheriffs were presented with certificates, marking their completion of a three-week induction course, which they reportedly took at the Lagos State Judiciary Training School.

     

  • Updated: NJC sacks suspended Abia Chief Judge Uzokwe, one other

    *Set up committees to Supreme Court Justice, 2 state Chief Judges

    *Issues warning to Justice Aladetoyinbo, Williams

    *Dismisses petitions against 31 judges

    *Appoints 60 judges for 24 states

     

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended to Governor Okezie Ikpeazu of Abia State the compulsory retirement of the state’s suspended Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe and Justice Obisike Oji, who was picked in her place.

    This formed part of the decisions taken at the NJC’s 85th meeting held on March 14.

    The NJC had earlier suspended Justice Uzokwe, and issued a query to Justice Oji (of of Abia State High Court) for allowing himself to be sworn-in as Acting Chief Judge when the Abia State House of Assembly purportedly sacked Justice Uzokwe.

    According to the NJC, Justices Uzokwe and Oji were found guilty of misconduct.

    NJC’s Director, Information, Soji Oye, said in a statement that the council also set up committees to Supreme Court Justice, 2 state Chief Judges.

    The statement was silent on the identity of the judicial officers involved.

    The NJC issued warning to Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo (of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and Justice Olusola Ajibike Williams of the Lagos State High Court.

    It referred a petition against 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.

    The NJC dismissed petitions against 31 judges for being without substance and approved the appointment of 60 judges for 24 states.

    In relation to Justice Uzokwe, the NJC said she was recommended for compulsory retirement following the findings of two investigative committees set up to examine the petitions against her by Abia State’s  Attorney-General/Commissioner for Justice,  Umeh Kalu (SAN).

    NJC said Kalu, in the petitions, accused Uzokwe of  illegal constitution and working with a parallel Judicial Service Commission (JSC) instead of the one constituted by the State Governor and confirmed by the House of Assembly.

    It added: “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.”

    As it relates to Justice Oji, the NJC noted that it had earlier queried him “for allowing himself to be sworn-in as acting Chief Judge, and thereby colluding in, and aiding an unconstitutional process.

    “His (Justice Oji’s) reply was unsatisfactory and the Council recommended his compulsory retirement.

    “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.

    “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.

    “Council at the meeting also considered various petitions written against thirty-one (31) judicial officers and resolved to empanel three investigative committees against one Justice of Supreme Court and two state Chief Judges.

    “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 those written against Justices Abdu Aboki, Theresa Abadua and Ahmed Belgore (all of the Court of Appeal); Justices J. T. Tsoho, Ayo Emmanuel, Sabiu Yahusa, Zainab B. Abubakar and B. O. Quadri (of the Federal High Court).

    Others are Justices A. N. Ubaka and B. B. Kanyip (of the National Industrial Court); Justices Bello Kawu, S. C. Orji, A. N. Talba (of the FCT High Court); Justice K. C. Nwankpa (High Court Abia State); Justice D. A. Onyefulu (High Court Anambra State); Justice W. I. A. Effiong (High Court Akwa-Ibom State), and Justice A. M. Ikpambese (High Court Benue State).

    Equally affected are Justice G. E. Gbemre (High Court Delta State); Justice A. O. Onovo (High Court Enugu State); Justice Idi Apollos (High Court Gombe State); Justice G. O. Ogunsanya (High Court Ogun State); Justice A. B. Abdulkarim, (High Court Osun State); Justice K. A. Ojiako (High Court Imo State); Justices A. M. Lawal;  L. A. Okunnu and L. B. Lawal Akapo (all of High Court  Lagos State).

    The statement also said the NJC “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.

    “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.

    “Council at the meeting also recommended 60 judicial officers to Governors of twenty-four (24) for appointment as High Court Judges, Sharia Court Kadis and Customary Court of Appeal Judges.”