The National Judicial Council has sanctioned three judges across different states, placing them on a one- year suspension without salary over allegations of professional misconduct, arbitrary use of judicial powers, and violation of established legal procedures.
This disciplinary action was disclosed through an official statement disseminated in Abuja by Kemi Babalola- Ogedengbe, the deputy director of information for the council. The regulatory body operates under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, who serves as its chairperson.
Alongside the suspensions, the council delivered formal warning letters to three additional judicial officers and issued strict cautions to eight others as part of its ongoing oversight functions.
What led to the suspension of the affected judges?
The affected jurists include Justice Hannatu Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Salihu of the Jigawa Sharia Court of Appeal, and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.
According to the council's findings, Justice Kabir was penalized for unlawfully remanding a litigant in custody for 58 days without instituting proper contempt proceedings. Consequently, she faces a one-year suspension without pay and a three-year prohibition from being nominated for judicial elevation.
Grand Kadi Salihu received a one-year suspension without pay following investigations into his interference with a previously concluded ruling delivered by the Federal Capital Territory Upper Area Court.
Similarly, Justice Biambo was handed a one-year suspension without remuneration and barred from promotion for three years. The penalty stems from his improper issuance of bench warrants and the imposition of unauthorized fines on parties involved in a civil matter.
What broader measures are being implemented by the council?
The regulatory body maintains a strict stance on accountability within the justice sector, routinely reviewing petitions against judicial officers to uphold public trust in the legal system. Legal analysts note that these disciplinary actions underscore the council's commitment to curbing administrative overreach and ensuring adherence to the rule of law across Nigerian courts.