Judicial Council takes action against several judges

The Nigerian National Judicial Council (NJC) has declared the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge of Imo State void, according to a report in Punch. It has directed the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately reverse the decision and appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution. The decision was part of the resolutions taken at the NJC’s 108th meeting held on 29 and 30 April, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. Citing the constitutional provision, the NJC stated: 'If the office of the Chief Judge of a state is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions.’ The council further directed Nzeukwu to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Imo State, contrary to constitutional stipulations.

It also took disciplinary measures against the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice VU Okorie, who presided over the Judicial Service Commission meeting that recommended Nzeukwu’s appointment. Okorie was similarly asked to also show cause within seven days ‘why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation’. In a broader move targeting judicial misconduct, the NJC suspended three judicial officers, including a sitting Justice of the Court of Appeal, for one year without pay. Among those sanctioned is Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, who was found to have abused her office while serving as a judge of the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was also suspended for one year without pay and placed on a five-year watch-list, during which he is barred from elevation. Similarly, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was suspended for one year without pay and placed on a three-year watch-list, reports Punch. He was found guilty of granting orders restraining security agencies from carrying out their statutory duties.

Full Punch report