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 one year without pay, placing both on a two-year watch list thereafter.
This decision was part of resolutions made during the NJC’s 107th meeting, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on November 13 and 14, 2024. The NJC also sanctioned five other judicial officers for various acts of misconduct and recommended compulsory retirement for two Heads of Court — Justice T.E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State, and Kadi Babagana Mahdi, Grand Kadi of Yobe State — over falsification of their ages.
Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the NJC’s Deputy Director (Information), revealed that 30 petitions were reviewed by the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee. Of these, 22 were dismissed for lack of merit, six were assigned for further investigation, and two were deemed sub judice.
Detailed Misconduct Findings
Justice Aguma was found guilty of misconduct for aiding a litigant to enforce a judgment from the Federal Capital Territory High Court, Abuja, through garnishee proceedings initiated in the Bori Division of the Rivers State High Court. The NJC noted irregularities, including Aguma’s failure to question why the garnishee case was transferred to his court when it could be enforced in Abuja. Additionally, the council criticized the undue speed with which he granted orders favoring the litigant, ignoring a stay of execution issued by the Bwari High Court.
Justice Nwabunike breached Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers (2016) by misinterpreting legal terms such as “aspirant,” violating the principle of stare decisis, and granting ex parte orders without required accompanying motions.
Other Decisions
The NJC also dismissed petitions against Justice Peter Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, as well as those against Justice Comfort Ani of the Enugu State High Court, Justice Kabir Dabo, and Justice Stephen Pam for lack of merit. Petitions against Justice Peter C. Obiora and Justice I.S. Yerima, Chief Judge of Oyo State, were discontinued by the petitioners.
The council is also set to investigate complaints against Justice O.A. Ojo, Chief Judge of Osun State.
These actions reflect the NJC’s ongoing commitment to upholding ethical standards and accountability within the judiciary.
Furthermore, at the meeting, the Council recommended thirty-six (36) candidates for judicial appointment to their various 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
