Ogona Anita
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has announced the suspension of three judges for a year without pay due to misconduct
The judges affected 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.
In addition to the suspensions, the NJC directed Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to reverse the appointment of the acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu. The NJC also required the acting Chief Judge to provide justification within seven days as to why disciplinary action should not be taken against him.
Furthermore, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State, Hon. Justice V. U. Okorie, has been asked to explain his actions within seven days, following his role in recommending the appointment of the acting Chief Judge, which contravened constitutional provisions.
A statement issued by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola, revealed that during its 108th meeting on April 29 and 30, 2025, the Council empanelled nine committees to investigate 27 judicial officers for various allegations of misconduct. Other actions taken included dismissing 29 petitions and issuing a letter of caution to a Federal High Court judge.
The NJC’s statement emphasised that “the appointment of Judicial Officers henceforth will be open to public scrutiny” and mandated that the governor appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state’s High Court hierarchy as the acting Chief Judge, in accordance with Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The meeting, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, affirmed that constitutional provisions regarding the appointment of an acting Chief Judge do not allow for discretion. Section 271(4) of the Constitution states: “If the office of the Chief Judge of a State is vacant… the Governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions.”
Justice Jane E. Inyang was suspended for one year without pay after being found to have breached Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by issuing inappropriate Ex parte Orders during a case while presiding over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023.
Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu faced a similar suspension for one year without pay due to judicial misconduct in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021, where he granted an order that restrained security agencies from performing their statutory duties, disregarding established legal precedents
Additionally, a letter of caution was issued to Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court in Lagos concerning a petition filed against him. Several other petitions against various judges were assessed, with some put on hold pending appeals, while others were dismissed for lack of merit.The NJC also dealt with a petition highlighting issues of transparency and merit in the appointment process for judges in Zamfara State, concluding that the allegations were unsubstantiated.
In closing, the NJC resolved that from now on, the names of candidates for judicial appointments to Superior Courts of Records will be published for public comment, aiming to enhance transparency and public trust in the judicial appointment process.
