The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended Justice G.C. Aguma of the Rivers State High Court and Justice A.O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court for misconduct. Both judges were suspended without pay for a year and placed on a watchlist for two additional years. This decision was made during the NJC’s 107th meeting, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on November 13 and 14, 2024.
In addition to the suspensions, the NJC sanctioned five other judicial officers for various acts of misconduct. It also recommended the compulsory retirement of two senior judicial figures: Justice T.E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State, and Kadi Babagana Mahdi, Grand Kadi of Yobe State, both for falsifying their ages.
The NJC reviewed 30 petitions against judicial officers, dismissing 22 for lack of merit and identifying six for further investigation. It also initiated a probe into complaints against Justice O.A. Ojo, Chief Judge of Osun State.
The council’s findings highlighted Justice Aguma’s misconduct in aiding a litigant by handling garnishee proceedings inappropriately. He accepted a case in Bori, Rivers State, despite it originating from a judgment delivered in Abuja. His expedited actions, ignoring a stay of execution granted by another court, suggested personal interest in the matter.
Justice Nwabunike was found to have violated judicial conduct rules by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice, misinterpreting legal terms, and disregarding established precedents, undermining the principle of stare decisis.
Other petitions dismissed as baseless included cases against Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and several other judges across various states. Some petitions were withdrawn, further reducing the caseload.
Additionally, during the meeting, the Council put forward recommendations for the appointment of 36 candidates to judicial positions, directing them to the respective State Governors.
Those recommended for appointment are as follows:
Eight (8) Judges, High Court, Oyo state
- Opayinka, Adeniyi Gabriel
- Oyediran, Oloyede Semiu
- Oladejo, Olusoji Moses
- Ademola-Salami, Oluwaseun Toluwanimi
- Adesina, Jimoh Adam
- Adekunle, Yemi Saubana
- Adepoju, Olutola Jolade Adenike
- Muraina, Olayemi Rasaq
Four (4) Judges, High Court, Kebbi state:
- Muhammad, Kwaido Hassan
- Ibrahim, Umar Halima
- Jagwadeji, Suru Lauratu
- Muhammad, Nuruddeen
Seven (7) Judges, High Court, Sokoto state:
- Haruna, Dogondaji Mariya
- Sahabi, Jaredi Hadiza
- Ahmad, Sha’aibu
- Hassan, Fatima
- Mohammed, Sa’idu Fatima
- Muhammad, Nura Bello
- Moyi, Abubakar
Six (6) Judges, High Court, Akwa Ibom state
- Ekanem, James Bassey
- Umohandi, Mfon Winifred
- Essien, Bassey Iwakaowo
- Morrison, Henry Comfort
- Ntekim, Edet Ekpo
- Eddie, Julius Sharon
Seven (7) Kadis, Sharia Court Of Appeal, Sokoto state
- Muhammad, Abdulazeez Yar’Abba
- Lawal, Isa Abubakar
- Bello, Sokoto Ibrahim
- Imam, Abubakar Bello
- Muhammad, Abibu Lawal
- Ibrahim, Bodinga Umar
- Kabiru, Marnona Umar
Two (2) kadis, Sharia Court Of Appeal, Kebbi state
- Aliyu, Kabir, SAN
- Bello, Muhammad Atiku
Two (2) Judges, Customary Court Of Appeal, Oyo state
- Ojekunle, Ojeyemi Ademola
- Oyediran, Safiya Amope