NJC Suspends 3 Judges, Probes 27 Others
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judges for one year without pay over various acts of judicial misconduct, while also initiating investigations into petitions against 27 other judges.
The suspended judicial officers 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 (Zamfara Division). Their suspension followed the NJC’s 108th meeting held in Abuja on April 29 and 30, 2025, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
According to NJC spokesperson Mrs. Kemi Babalola, Justice Jane Inyang was found guilty of issuing inappropriate ex-parte orders for the sale of a petrol station and other assets at an interlocutory stage in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, which she handled before her elevation to the Court of Appeal. This violated Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Justice Inyang Ekwo was sanctioned for delivering a ruling in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 without giving parties the opportunity to be heard. He was also placed on a five-year watch-list and barred from elevation during that period. The NJC found he violated Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Code of Conduct.
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Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu was suspended for restraining security agencies from performing their statutory functions in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 (Govt of Zamfara vs EFCC). He also disregarded judicial precedents, breaching Rules 3(1) and 5 of the code. He was additionally placed on a three-year watch-list.
In other decisions, the NJC issued a caution letter to Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, over procedural lapses in a case involving the Assistant Inspector General of Police.
The NJC also dismissed petitions against Justices C.N. Mbonu Nwenyi and R.B. Haastrup, while some petitions were put in abeyance pending appellate court decisions. A total of 43 petitions were reviewed—29 were dismissed, 11 referred to committees for further investigation, and three placed on hold.
Regarding the controversial 2022 judicial appointment process in Zamfara State, the NJC rejected a petition alleging nepotism, declaring that the petitioner, being an unsuccessful candidate, had presented false claims. The Council barred him from future judicial appointments.
Similarly, a petition against the 2021 recruitment of six Federal High Court judges was struck out for violating the six-month rule of filing.
Meanwhile, the NJC accepted the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Ahmed Ademola Bakre and approved a name change for Justice I.A. Osayande to Justice I.A. Dika.
As part of transparency reforms, the NJC announced that names of nominees for judicial appointments to superior courts will henceforth be published for public scrutiny, allowing objections based on integrity, competence, or reputation.
This new step, according to the Council, is aimed at ensuring public trust and transparency in the judicial appointment process.
By PRNigeria
