The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended G. C Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and A.O Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court from performing judicial functions.

They were both suspended for the period of one year without pay and placed on watch list for two years thereafter.

The decision was taken at the 107th Meeting of the NJC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun on 13 and 14 November 2024.

A total of five serving Judicial Officers were sanctioned for various acts of misconduct.

The Council also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.

The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.

The Council equally considered the Report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled 6 Committees for further investigation. While 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.

The Council also empanelled a Committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.

Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, deputy director of information of NJC in a statement on Friday revealed that these decisions were reached at its 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.

Several petitions against judicial officers were dismissed for lack of merit. Allegations of bribery involving Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, were deemed unsubstantiated.

The Council stressed its duty to protect judicial officers from baseless accusations while maintaining accountability for misconduct.

In addition to disciplinary actions, the NJC recommended 36 candidates for judicial appointments across states, including Oyo, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Akwa Ibom, as well as the Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal. These appointments are expected to strengthen the judiciary and improve its capacity to dispense justice.

The Guardian