The National Judicial Council (NJC) has imposed a one-year suspension without pay on three serving judicial officers, including a Justice of the Court of Appeal, over various acts of judicial misconduct. The disciplinary measures mark a firm step by the Council to reinforce accountability within the judiciary.
The decision was part of a series of resolutions reached at the Council’s 108th meeting, held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The affected judges are Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division; Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division; and Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court in Zamfara State. Details of the specific allegations were not disclosed in the official statement, but the Council noted that the sanctions were a consequence of established misconduct.
In a statement issued by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola, the Council also disclosed that it had set up nine committees to investigate 27 other judicial officers facing various allegations of misconduct. This move is seen as part of a broader effort to clean up the judiciary and uphold professional standards.
At the same meeting, 29 petitions against various judges were dismissed for lacking merit or evidentiary support. One judge of the Federal High Court was issued a formal warning, reflecting the NJC’s graded approach to discipline depending on the nature and gravity of infractions.
Significant developments also emerged from Imo State, where the NJC is scrutinising the appointment process of the Acting Chief Judge. The Council ordered the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State to show cause within seven days why disciplinary measures should not be taken against him. Similarly, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state was asked to explain why he presided over the Judicial Service Commission meeting that recommended the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge, in what appears to be a violation of constitutional procedures.
The NJC reiterated that the appointment of judicial officers must now be subjected to public scrutiny. It directed Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State to appoint the most senior judicial officer in the High Court as Acting Chief Judge, in accordance with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
According to the constitutional provision, “If the office of the Chief Judge of a State is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the Governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions.”
The NJC emphasized that this section does not allow for discretion on the part of state governors, reinforcing the principle that judicial appointments must strictly follow constitutional directives.
Further developments are expected as investigations into the 27 additional judicial officers proceed.
Discussion about this post