The National Judicial Council (NJC) has taken disciplinary action against three judges, barring them from elevation to higher benches for two to three years. The decision was made at the NJC’s 105th meeting, held on May 15 and 16, 2024.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court was warned for abusing his discretionary power by granting an ex-parte order in a suit. He is barred from elevation for two years.
Justice GB Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court was warned for failing to deliver judgment within the stipulated period. He is barred from elevation for three years.
Justice Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court was cautioned for issuing a writ of possession without a subsisting judgment. She is barred from elevation for three years.
The NJC also issued warning letters to the judges and dismissed petitions against 17 other judges for lack of merit or evidence of misconduct.
Additionally, the Council recommended 86 judicial officers for appointment to various courts in Nigeria, subject to approval by the President and state governors.
The NJC’s decision is part of its efforts to maintain discipline and integrity in the judiciary. The Council’s chairman, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, emphasized the importance of upholding the highest standards of conduct and integrity in the judiciary.
The full statement from the NJC reads:
“The National Judicial Council, under the chairmanship of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, at its plenary of the 105th meeting held on May 15 and 16, 2024, resolved to issue warning letters to Hon. Justice Inyang E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court and Hon. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court.
“Hon. Justice Inyang E. Ekwo is warned for abuse of discretionary power of a Judge by wrongly granting an ex-parte order in Suit No FHC/ABJ/C/626/2023 Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Ors V Seplat Energy Plc & 12 Ors.
“The Hon. Judge is also barred from being elevated to a higher Bench for a period of two years.
“Hon. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court is also issued a warning for failure to deliver judgment within stipulated period in Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, Suit No A/94/2010 after parties had filed and adopted their final Written Addresses.
“Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi will also not be elevated to a higher Bench for a period of three years.
“Council cautioned Hon. Justice Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court for issuing Writ of Possession Conferring Title on the Defendant in Suit No YBS/HC/NNR/1cv/2020 when there was no subsisting judgment of any Court to enable His Lordship issue the Writ.
“Council at the meeting considered two Reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees that filtered 35 petitions written against Judges of the Federal and State High Courts and decided to empanel eight Committees to further investigate the petitions that were found meritorious by the Committees.
“Petitions against various Judges were dismissed for lack of merit, evidence of misconduct, subjudice, or that they were matters that could be appealed.
“The dismissed petitions were against Hon. Justices A. M. Liman, A. A. Okeke, D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justices S. B. Belgore, Bello Kawu both of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Hon. Justices O. A. Chijioke, A. E. Akeredolu, and Kadi M. U. El-Mainari who sat on Election Petition Tribunal in Edo State, Hon. Justice Okey Paulinus Aneke, High Court Enugu State, and Hon. Justice C. Anya of Abia State.
“Others are Hon. Justices M. A. Ikpambese and W. I. Kpochi both of Benue High Court, Hon. Justices T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka Chief Judge and B. C. Iheka of Imo State High Court, Hon. Justice Rose Godwin Soji of Nasarawa State High Court, Hon. Justice T. J. Yakubu, High Court Taraba State, High Justices W. N. Danagogo and Chinwendu Nworgu, High Court Rivers State, Hon. Justice C. C. Okaa, High Court Anambra State, and Hon. Justice Abdullahi Sulyman High Court, Kogi State.”
