JUST IN: NJC Recommends 22 Federal, State Judicial Officers For Appointment

The National Judicial Council has recommended the appointment of 22 judicial officers for various courts in the country.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Tanko Muhammad, presides over the NJC.

This was disclosed on NJC’s website on Thursday by its Director of Information, Soji Oye, Esq.

It noted that that the decision was based on a committee report.

“Similarly, at the Meeting, Council considered the Report of its Interview Committee and recommended twenty-two (22) Judicial Officers as Justices of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, Heads of Court, Judges of High Court of States, Kadis of States Sharia Courts of Appeal and Judges of Customary Courts of Appeal”, it stated.

The NJC, having held a virtual meeting between Tuesday and Wednesday, said it warned Hon. Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, urging him to abide by stipulated laws.

NJC also dismissed certain allegations raised against some of its judges.

The statement further reads: “The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Honourable Dr. Justice I. T. Muhammad CFR, at its 2nd Virtual Meeting held on 11th and 12th August, 2020, considered the Report of its Investigation Committee on allegation of misconduct made against Hon. Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya of High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“At the end of deliberation, the Plenary resolved to issue warning letter to Hon. Justice K. N. Ogbonnaya of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory following its findings on the petition written against him by Dr. Uchechukwu Samson Ogah, OON, that His Lordship refused to release a copy of Judgment delivered to the petitioner within the constitutionally prescribed period of seven (7) days.

“In the same vein, Council also dismissed a petition written by Mrs Ademujimi Adenike Nancy against Hon. Justice Sunday Olorundahunsi for want of merit.

“Council also considered the Report of Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee on petitions written against the following sixteen (16) Judicial Officers and dismissed the allegations levelled against: Hon. Justice Ayodele Daramola, Chief Judge, Ekiti State, Sulyman Kawu, Chief Judge, Kwara State, Hon. Justices I. N. Oweibo, Hadiza R. Shagari, Ijeoma L. Ojukwu, Ambrose Lewis-Allagoa all of the Federal High Court, Hon. Justices B. A. Oke-Lawal, O. A. Ogala of the Lagos State High Court, Hon. Justice Augusta Uche Kingsley-Chukwu, High Court of Rivers State, Hon. Justice Mustapha A. Ramat, High Court, Nasarawa State, Hon. Justices M. M. Ladan, Muhammed Lawal Bello both of the High Court of Kaduna State, Hon. Justice Adamu M. Kafin Madaki, High Court of Bauchi State, Hon. Justice L. M. Boufini, High Court, Bayelsa State and Hon. Kadi Goni Kur, Sharia Court of Appeal, Borno State for either lacking in merit or being subjudice.

“It also received the final report of the Judicial Ethics Committee and other Ad-Hoc Committees set up.

“Council also received the notification of retirement of thirteen (13) Judges and notification of death of six (6) Judges of States High Courts and Sharia Court of Appeal.”