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Tag: NJC

  • Buhari approves appointment of 28 judicial officials

    President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the appointment of 28 judicial officers for the Court of Appeal, the Federal High Court and the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

    While 12 were approved for the Court of Appeal, the President approved the appointment of nine for the Federal High Court and seven for the High Court of the FCT.

    The Director of Information, National Judicial Council (NJC), Soji Oye, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday.

    Oye said Buhari’s approval followed an earlier recommendation by the NJC.

    Those elevated to the Appeal Court were Justices Gabriel Kolawole, Bilikisu Aliyu and Mohammed Idris of the Federal High Court, and Abubakar Mahmud  Talba of the High Court of the FCT (who was suspended for one year by the NJC over his ruling in the John Yakubu Yusufu case in 2013.

    Oye had said in a statement on April 26, 2012 that NJC resolved at its meeting held on April 24 and 25, 2012 to suspended Justice Talba for 12 months without pay.

    Also elevated to the Appeal Court were Justices Folashade A. Ojo (of the High Court of the FCT),  P. A. Mahmud; I. A. Andenyangsto; Ebiowei TobI;  J. G. Abundaga; A. S. Umar; A. M. Bayero and  A. M. Lamido.

    Those who made it to the Federal High Court bench were Justice Peter O. Lifu (who is currently a judge of the National Industrial Court), Sunday Bassey Onu, Mrs. Adefunmilola Adekemi Demi-Ajayi, Obiora Atuegwu Egwuata, Sa’adatu Ibrahim Mark, Mobolaji Olubukola Olajuwon, Aminu Bappa Aliyu, Tijjani Garba Ringim and Nkeonye Evelyn Maha.

     

  • ‘NJC encourages political interference in judges’ appointment’

    A human rights group, the Access to Justice (A2Justice), has accused the National Judicial Council (NJC) of encouraging political interference in  judges’ appointment by not strictly enforcing its own rules.

    Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, while delivering the Lagos State Judiciary first bi-annual lecture, decried undue political interference in judicial appointments.

    But, A2Justice, in a statement by its Convener Mr Joseph Otteh and Programme Officer Joshua Nwachukwu, said while the CJN’s observation was valid, the judiciary  must take a greater share of the blame for the situation.

    It said: “Political interference in the judicial appointment process, which often leads to the appointment of relatives, associates or cronies of political office holders happens because the Judiciary has not risen to the challenge of defending its space and asserting its own independence.  The NJC must, and we say this respectfully, share the blame for this.

    “In 2014, in a bid to strengthen the integrity of the judicial appointment process, the NJC adopted new Guidelines for the appointment of judicial officers (the extant Revised NJC Guidelines & Procedural Rules for The Appointment of Judicial Officers of All Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.)

    “However, the NJC has not consistently enforced those guidelines or resisted efforts to circumvent them. In some cases, the Council has practically given some judiciaries, which flouted those guidelines, what amounted to a free pass even after complaints about their failure to observe the guidelines were made.

    “This happened with the recruitments of judges into the Federal High Court in 2015, and the appointment of judges in Lagos State in 2017.

    “Therefore, the Nigerian judiciary should not, and cannot now blow hot and cold at the same time on the subject of political interference in the judicial recruitment process or pass the buck when it comes to the responsibility of de-politicising the appointment process.”

    According to A2Justice, the Constitution has given the Judiciary the autonomy it needs to effectively resist political meddlesomeness in judicial appointments.

    “What the NJC needs to do, respectfully, is to insist that state and federal judiciaries faithfully and scrupulously comply with the letter and spirit of the new Guidelines it has made.

    “Where it fails to do so, that failure will create the space for those who have traditionally preyed on the weaknesses of our judiciary to continue to do so,” A2Justice said.

    The group noted that “no length of moral admonition to political office holders, or denunciation of what they do with judicial appointments will stop them from wanting to exert some influence over the process”.

    It said the judiciary needed a tougher resolve and commitment to defend its independence.

    “The judiciary needs to step up to the plate and do more than it has done in the past to defend its independence,” the group added.

  • ‘NJC encourages political interference in judges’ appointment’

    A human rights group, the Access to Justice (A2Justice), has accused the National Judicial Council (NJC) of encouraging political interference in  judges’ appointment by not strictly enforcing its own rules.

    Chief Justice Walter Onnoghen, while delivering the Lagos State Judiciary first bi-annual lecture, decried undue political interference in judicial appointments.

    But, A2Justice, in a statement by its Director Joseph Otteh and Programme Officer Joshua Nwachukwu, said while the CJN’s observation was valid, the judiciary  must take a greater share of the blame for the situation.

    It said: Political interference in the judicial appointment process, which often leads to the appointment of relatives, associates or cronies of political office holders happens because the Judiciary has not risen to the challenge of defending its space and asserting its own independence.  The NJC must, and we say this respectfully, share the blame for this.

    “In 2014, in a bid to strengthen the integrity of the judicial appointment process, the NJC adopted new Guidelines for the appointment of judicial officers (the extant Revised NJC Guidelines & Procedural Rules for The Appointment of Judicial Officers of All Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.)

    “However, the NJC has not consistently enforced those guidelines or resisted efforts to circumvent them. In some cases, the Council has practically given some judiciaries, which flouted those guidelines, what amounted to a free pass even after complaints about their failure to observe the guidelines were made.

    “This happened with the recruitments of judges into the Federal High Court in 2015, and the appointment of judges in Lagos State in 2017.

    “Therefore, the Nigerian judiciary should not, and cannot now blow hot and cold at the sametime on the subject of political interference in the judicial recruitment process or pass the buck when it comes to the responsibility of de-politicising the appointment process.”

    According to A2Justice, the Constitution has given the Judiciary the autonomy it needs to effectively resist political meddlesomeness in judicial appointments.

    “What the NJC needs to do, respectfully, is to insist that state and federal judiciaries faithfully and scrupulously comply with the letter and spirit of the new Guidelines it has made.

    “Where it fails to do so, that failure will create the space for those who have traditionally preyed on the weaknesses of our judiciary to continue to do so,” A2Justice said.

    The group noted that “no length of moral admonition to political office holders, or denunciation of what they do with judicial appointments will stop them from wanting to exert some influence over the process”.

    It said what was needed from the Judiciary is a tougher resolve and commitment to defend its independence and processes from untoward influences and greater accountability for its actions.

    “The judiciary needs to step up to the plate and do more than it has done in the past to defend its independence,” the group added.

  • NJC picks Anabor, Saddeeq, 19 others for CCT, High Courts

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) on Friday announced names of 21 individuals nominated for appointment as Chief Judges, Judges, Grand Kadis and a member of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    Mrs. Julie Abieyuwa Anabor is named as the new member of the CCT.

    If the President accepts her nomination, she will become the third member of the CCT panel headed by Danladi Umar.

    NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, said in a statement the Council took the decision at its 86th meeting held between May 8 and 9 this year.

    According to him, the NJC also approved the appointment of Justice Abbazih Musa Abubakar Saddeeq as President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Federal Capital Territory.

    Other appointees are – Justice Elizabeth A. Karatu (Chief Judge, Kebbi State); Justice Musa Danladi Abubakar (Chief Judge, Katsina State); Alhafiz Mikail Abubakar (Grand Kadi, Katsina State); Bilikisu Gambo Yusuf and Ishaku Usman (as judges, High Court, Kaduna State).

    Also appointed are – Musa Mustapha, Baba Gani Karumi and Waziri Alhaji Abubakar (as judges, High Court, Borno State); Husaini Alhasan Saidu, Zubayr Saliu and Ruth Alolo Alfa (as judges, High Court, Kogi State); Muhammad Haruna and Fatima Musa (as judges, High Court, Gombe State) and Muhammad Inuwa Gombe and Hadi Aminu (Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal, Gombe).

    Ahmad Muhammad Gidado, Mustapha Lalloki, Dalha Bashir Ahmad and Atiku Muhammad Bello (Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal, Gombe State) completed the list.

     

     

  • NJC recommends sack of Adamawa judge

    •Council dismisses petition against Supreme Court Justice, others

    THE National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of Justice Michael Goji of the High Court of Adamawa State for refusing to proceed on transfer to the court’s Mubi Judicial Division since July, 2017.

    The NJC, at its 86th meeting, which was held on May 8 and 9, found Justice Goji guilty of misconduct and recommended his compulsory retirement to Adamawa State Governor Bindo Umaru Jibrilla.

    NJC’s Director of Information Soji Oye, in a statement yesterday, said the council directed that Justice Goji be immediately suspended from office, pending when the governor will effect his compulsory retirement.

    The statement added: “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 NJC, which pays salaries of judicial officers in the federation.”

    Oye said the NJC has also recommended the appointment of 21 judges, including a member for the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

    The appointment of a member to the CCT will raise the number of its members to three from the present two.

    The NJC, Oye said, dismissed petitions against some judicial officers, including Justice Paul Galinje of the Supreme Court. It set up seven panels to investigate petitions by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against judges and others.

    Part of the statement reads: “Council considered the reports of various investigation committees and dismissed petitions written against Justice Paul Adamu Galinje of the Supreme Court, Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim, Chief Judge, Jigawa State, and Justice Peter Umeadi, Chief Judge, Enugu State.

    “The petition against Justice Galinje was dismissed sequel to its withdrawal by Yaro Abarshi and John Yobi Yarafa and others, who alleged that he interfered in a chieftaincy matter in Taraba State.

    “The petition against Justice 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 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 Justice Ringim instructed or directed the arrest of KEDCO’s staff.

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

    The statement added: “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 Justices A. I. Chikere and J. T Tsoho, Emeka Nwite and Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court; Justice Adetokunbo Banjoko of FCT High Court, Justice Taminu Zailani, Chief Judge, Kaduna, Justice M. A. Adeigbe, High Court, Osun State (who had already retired from the Bench) and Justice E. N. Ogbuiji, High Court, Rivers State.

    “Council at the meeting also recommended 21 judges for appointment as Chief Judges, Grand Kadi, High Court judges, Sharia Court Kadis, President, Customary Court of Appeal, and one member, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).”

     

     

  • ‘President yet to sign NJC’s letter for Justice Yinusa’s dismissal’

    A Lagos State High Court in Igbosere on Monday  heard that President Muhammadu Buhari is yet to sign the National Judicial Council (NJC)’s letter recommending Justice Mohammed Yinusa’s dismissal.

    Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) of the Federal High Court in Lagos, Mr. Bello Okandeji, stated this in the trial of a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), Mr Rickey Tarfa for allegedly offering gratification to two Federal High Court judges: Yinusa and Justices Hyeladzira Nganjiwa.

    Yunusa and Nganjiwa are facing separate trials in Lagos High Courts for alleged corruption, among others.

    At the proceedings, Tarfa fielded Okandeji to testify in his defence.

    Led in evidence by Tarfa’s counsel, Mr. Jelili Owonikoko (SAN), Okandeji said he recognised Tarfa as one of the counsel who appear before the Federal High Court in Lagos, daily.

    Okandeji said he was not aware of any official complaint lodged at the Federal High Court against Justices Nganjiwa and Yunusa.

    He added that he did not know Justice Nganjiwa before his appointment as a judge, but knew that Justice Yunusa previously worked at the industrial court before his appointment as a judge.

    Okandeji also told the court in his evidence-in-chief that only the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court and the administrative judges in different divisions of the court were in charge of assignment of cases to judges.

    Under cross-examination by EFCC counsel, Mr Rotimi Oyedepo, Okandeji said he was aware that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had sent a letter to President Buhari, recommending Justice Yunusa for dismissal, “but the President has yet to sign it.”

    Asked if he would be surprised to learn that Justice Yunusa’s suspension had to do with the way he handled a case filed before him by Tarfa, Okandeji said, “What I know is that there was a petition before the NJC.”

    Asked whether constant private communications between a judge and a lawyer who has a case before him was part of the Federal High Court’s policy, Okandeji answered, “My Lord, it is not in our rule.”

    He also affirmed that the court’s rule does not permit a serving judge to open and maintain a bank account in the name of a company.

    He affirmed also that it was improper for a judge to recommend a lawyer to a defendant before him and receive payment for the services.

    He further affirmed that if the Chief Judge or the administrative judge were aware of the relationship between Tarfa and Justice Yunusa, they would not have assigned Tarfa’s cases to the judge.

    He went on to highlight several payments made by Tarfa into the bank accounts of the two judges, reading from Tarfa’s statement of account, which had been admitted as an exhibit.

    The case continues on Tuesday

  • Bank reports judge to NJC, EFCC over ‘questionable’ judgment

    •Deputy Chief Registrar: ‘I’m yet to receive petition’

    Union Bank of Nigeria Plc has accused Justice Ibrahim Buba of the Federal High Court of perverting the cause of justice in a suit filed against it by an alleged debtor.

    It petitioned the National Judicial Council (NJC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), and the Department of State Security (DSS), alleging professional misconduct.

    But the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar Mr Bello Okandeji, told The Nation that was yet to get a copy of the petition to be able to react. He promised to “find out”.

    The bank said the judge “turned the law upside down” in a judgment in the debtor’s favour.

    Union Bank said the judgment “appears most unreasonable and difficult to understand, thereby conferring benefit to the unrighteous at the expense of the righteous…”

    The petitioner claimed that the judge by the judgment, exposed it to a great risk, as the loan facilities extended to the company was part of its depositors’ and shareholders’ funds.

    It urged the NJC and anti-graft agency to intervene, saying it cannot afford to lose such huge amount of money.

    The bank said it granted a loan facility amounting to the sum of $68millionto to a property company, whose alter ego is an Indian national, for the building of a commercial property in Abuja, which is said to have been completed.

    “The loan remains unserviced with an outstanding balance currently standing at the sum of $81,941,230.84 as at February 7, 2018,” the bank said in a statement.

    Union Bank said the debtor had at the time of obtaining the loan provided two legal mortgages as collateral. The facility, according to the bank, had a four-year tenor and was meant to expire on April 30, 2015.

    According to the petitioner, the loan was disbursed in dollars and the interest was initially fixed at 15 per cent per annum, with payment to be done through proceeds from the Abuja property, from the rental proceeds of properties in Lagos and Abuja, and from the company’s other businesses.

    The bank said the loan was restructured, but the company allegedly persisted in its default to repay the loan.

    “At one instance, in a letter dated June 28, 2016 the defaulting company acknowledged its indebtedness to the bank by admitting owing $61.089million and was proposing repayment pattern of N250 million and N388,890 million in five installments. But the loan increased to $81.941,230.80 due to lack of servicing,” the bank said.

    Union Bank said the debtor filed a suit against it at the Federal High Court in Lagos, seeking 12 reliefs, including “a total reversal of the obligation of the defaulting customer”.

    The bank accused Justice Buba of making “contrasting findings by declaring the loan facility illegal, voiding the legal instrument/agreement of the loan and granting an order of perpetual injunction to restrain the bank from exercising its right to appoint a receiver even when the court also held that the amount owed to the bank must be paid…”

    “By so doing, Honourable Justice Buba somersaulted severally in the judgment,” the bank said.

    According to the bank, the judge also made “an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendant (Union Bank) or its agents from enforcing the loan agreement executed by the plaintiff,” among others.

    The petitioner claimed that the judge was unable to balance the interest of both parties because the risk assets that would have been used to recover the loan was “fully destroyed” by the judgment.

    The bank also accused the judge of failing to release the judgment until March 22 this year, 22 days from the date he delivered the judgment, which Union Bank said was in violation of Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution.

    This, the bank said, affected the perfection of its appeal at the Court of Appeal.

    The petitioner said the judge made another order that parties should maintain status quo “without giving the defendant enough opportunity to even appear in court or be represented by counsel”.

    The bank faulted the judge in holding that the contract of credit facilities in foreign denominated currency between the bank and the company was illegal.

    It said the judge “somersaulted in law when he held that the outstanding indebtedness of the company be converted to naira at the prevailing exchange rate of N158 to a dollar being the prevailing rate at the time the credit facility was availed to the company in March, 2011.”

    The bank added that the judge allegedly misinterpreted the law by holding that the bank’s granting of credit facilities in US Dollars and demanding it is prohibited under the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Act.

    The judge was also accused of holding that an upward review of interest rate did not form part of the agreement between the parties to the loan.

    The bank said it referred to the agreement via a letter dated June 28, 2016 where the company admitted that payment should be in dollars, and despite not being controverted, the judge allegedly did not take it to account.

    The Deputy Chief Registrar, when asked if the court would react to the petition, said: “With respect to the said petition, I am yet to get a copy. I will find out tomorrow (today) please. You may also wish to see me in the office tomorrow.”

  • NJC appoints 60 judges for 25 states

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) yesterday named 60 new judicial officers, including two state Chief Judges, for 25 states of the federation.

    The two chief judges are Justice O.O.Akeredolu (Ondo State) and Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak (Plateau).

    Other appointees approved at the council’s just concluded 85th meeting in Abuja are:

    Justices Danladi Muhammed, Fatima Ahmed Tafida and  Bulila Ladukiya Ikharo,all of the Adamawa State High Court; Bassey Bassey Nkanang and  Uwem Freedom Ibritam, both of the Akwa Ibom High Court;Josephine Mbayan Ayua (Benue High Court); Imelda Etope Bassey, Obo Awusa Obo and  Emmanuel Ubua Agianpuye, all of the Cross River State High Court; Dafe Celestina Idise , Egwu Joe, Okorodas Anthony Ezonfade, Ideh Blessing Adaoleh and Edun Ajueyitsi Joshua, all of the Delta State High Court.

    Other new judges are:Justices Irobosa O. A. Omotosho and Aigbona T. Momodu, both of the  Edo State High Court; Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed and Isah Muhammed Bargaja (Sokoto State Highj Court); Adamu Muhammed Kafin-Madaki (Bauchi State High Court); Joy Lynda Chiama Okibe, Veronica Chinyere Ajogwu and Esther Nnenna Nkechi Alukwu (Enugu State High Court); Musa Kyari Kachalla and  Karima Bulama Yusuf (Yobe High Court); Emeka Samuel Nri-Ezedi and  Obiora Azuka Nwabunike (Anambra High Court); Onwosi Uwabunkeonye (Ebonyi High Court); Pinheiro Yetunde Rukayat, Ogunjobi Olukayode Ola and  Soladoye Abiola Oladunni (Lagos High Court); Augusta Uche K. Chuku and  Ollor Godwin Osaronu (Rivers High Court); and

    Kabiru Umaru and  Habibu Mikalilu (Zamfara High Court).

    Eleven Kadis were appointed for State  Sharia Courts of Appeal as follows:Dr. Bala Musa (Jigawa); Sa’idu Usman Muhammad, Mohammed Lawal Omar and  Mustapha Sani Saulawa (Katsina); Oniye Adebayo Mas’ud (Kwara); Kasimu Yusuf and  Umar Liman Abdullahi Sifawa (Sokoto); Muhammad Shehu Turawa Shinkafi and  Kabir Muhammad Hafiz (Zamfara); Muhammad Sani Randale and  Usman Abdullahi S. Kudu (Kebbi).

    Also appointed are  Customary Court of Appeal judges as follows:Abimbola Ayodeji Olatunji-Daniel, Abdul Ganiyu Tajudeen Muhammad and  Oyafajo Mikail Afolabi (Oyo State); Legor Torbira Senewo, and  Onyiri Frank (Rivers State).

  • NJC appoints 60 judges for 25 states

    The National Judicial Council (NJC) on Friday named 60 new judicial officers, including two state Chief Judges, for 25 states of the federation.

    The two chief judges are – Justice O.O. Akeredolu (Ondo State) and Justice Yakubu Gyang Dakwak (Plateau).

    Other appointees approved at the Council’s just concluded 85th meeting in Abuja are:

    Justices Danladi Muhammed, Fatima Ahmed Tafida and Bulila Ladukiya Ikharo (Adamawa State High Court); Bassey Bassey Nkanang and Uwem Freedom Ibritam (Akwa Ibom High Court); Josephine Mbayan Ayua (Benue High Court); Imelda Etope Bassey, Obo Awusa Obo and Emmanuel Ubua Agianpuye (Cross River State High Court); Dafe Celestina Idise, Egwu Joe, Okorodas Anthony Ezonfade , Ideh Blessing Adaoleh and Edun Ajueyitsi Joshua (Delta State High Court).

    Other new judges are – Justices Irobosa O. A. Omotosho and Aigbona T. Momodu (Edo State High Court); Kabiru Ibrahim Ahmed and Isah Muhammed Bargaja (Sokoto State High Court); Adamu Muhammed Kafin-Madaki (Bauchi State High Court); Joy Lynda Chiama Okibe, Veronica Chinyere Ajogwu and Esther Nnenna Nkechi Alukwu (Enugu State High Court); Musa Kyari Kachalla and  Karima Bulama Yusuf (Yobe High Court); Emeka Samuel Nri-Ezedi and  Obiora Azuka Nwabunike (Anambra High Court); Onwosi Uwabunkeonye (Ebonyi High Court); Pinheiro Yetunde Rukayat, Ogunjobi Olukayode Ola and  Soladoye Abiola Oladunni (Lagos High Court); Augusta Uche K. Chuku and  Ollor Godwin Osaronu (Rivers High Court); and Kabiru Umaru and  Habibu Mikalilu (Zamfara High Court).

    11 Kadis were appointed for State Sharia Courts of Appeal as follows – Dr. Bala Musa (Jigawa); Sa’idu Usman Muhammad, Mohammed Lawal Omar and  Mustapha Sani Saulawa (Katsina);Oniye Adebayo Mas’ud (Kwara); Kasimu Yusuf and  Umar Liman Abdullahi Sifawa (Sokoto); Muhammad Shehu Turawa Shinkafi and  Kabir Muhammad Hafiz (Zamfara); Muhammad Sani Randale and  Usman Abdullahi S. Kudu (Kebbi).

    Also appointed are Customary Court of Appeal judges as follows – Abimbola Ayodeji Olatunji-Daniel, Abdul Ganiyu Tajudeen Muhammad and  Oyafajo Mikail Afolabi (Oyo State) and Legor Torbira Senewo, and  Onyiri Frank (Rivers State).

  • NJC recommends sack of 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  queried  Justice Oji (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, two state Chief Judges.

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

    The NJC  warned  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 for investigation into the allegation of N5, 000,000million bribe to the Judge for granting bail to an accused.

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

    On  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  Governor and confirmed by the House of Assembly.

    It added: “Hon. Mr Justice Uzokwe was also found to have misconducted himself in a suit in 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 Custo.