BREAKING: NJC Suspends Three Judges Without Pay, Bars Two From Elevation

• The NJC has suspended three judges for one year without pay over misconduct involving unlawful detention, improper court orders and abuse of judicial authority.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the suspension of three judicial officers for one year without pay following investigations into their handling of court cases.

The decisions were taken at the council’s 112th meeting on November 3, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and announced on Wednesday, November 4.

Those affected are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.

According to the council, Justice Kabir ordered a litigant’s detention for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings. Investigators found that the action denied the litigant a fair hearing. She was also barred from nomination for elevation for three years.

Justice Biambo received the same suspension and three-year restriction on elevation after ordering arrests and imposing ₦300,000 fines on litigants in a civil dispute without following the required contempt procedure.

Grand Kadi Salihu was sanctioned for exceeding his authority in reopening a judgment delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court. The most senior Kadi will perform his functions during the suspension.

The disciplinary decisions also affected other judicial officers.

Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court received a warning over his decision to grant interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge.

Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana were issued warning letters for delivering an appeal judgment outside the prescribed 90-day period.

The council also cautioned Justice Kayode Agunloye over his handling of garnishee proceedings involving First Bank.

Separately, the NJC dismissed 24 petitions for lack of merit and referred four for further investigation. It recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments and directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, on its shortlist for the substantive position.