|By Adejumo Adekunle-
-NJC Suspends Three Judges Over Judicial Misconduct
–Bars Others from Promotion, Moves to Sanitize Judiciary with New Oversight Actions
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has wielded the big stick, slamming a one-year suspension without pay on three High Court judges over various acts of judicial misconduct, as part of a broader effort to restore credibility to Nigeria’s judiciary.
The affected judges include:
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Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division
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Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division
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Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division
The Council, in a statement issued at the end of its latest meeting, disclosed that Justice Jane Inyang was found guilty of violating Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by issuing inappropriate ex-parte orders in a commercial dispute involving the sale of a petrol station and other assets belonging to Hon. Udeme Esset, at an interlocutory stage.
The misconduct occurred while she presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023 at the Federal High Court, Uyo, prior to her elevation to the appellate bench.
Similarly, Justice Ekwo, of the Abuja Division, was found guilty of delivering a ruling in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 without hearing from the parties and ignoring a pending application to set aside the proceedings. The Council ruled this violated Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Judicial Code.
Justice Ekwo was not only suspended for a year, but also barred from elevation to a higher court and placed on a five-year watch-list.
In the same vein, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu, who presided over Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 between the Zamfara State Government and EFCC, was sanctioned for restraining law enforcement agencies from carrying out statutory duties, and for disregarding stare decisis—a fundamental judicial doctrine.
Justice Baffa was also placed on a three-year watch-list and barred from promotion during the period.
Other Disciplinary Decisions
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The Council issued a caution letter to Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, over a case involving Chief Adesanya Musediku and the Assistant General of Police, Zone 2.
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Petitions against Justice Othman A. Musa, Justice C. N. Mbonu Nwenyi, and Justice R. B. Haastrup were either put in abeyance, dismissed, or withdrawn.
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43 petitions were reviewed; nine investigative panels were set up for 27 pending cases, while 29 were dismissed for lacking merit.
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Petitions against the 2022 judicial appointment process in Zamfara were found to be politically motivated. The petitioner, who was an unsuccessful candidate, was barred from future exercises after the Council found his claims false and malicious.
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A complaint filed in January 2025 by Abdullahi Liman against the 2021 Federal High Court recruitment was dismissed for violating Section 11(1) of Judicial Discipline Regulations.
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A petition by Monday Adjeh on the Oyo State Judicial Service Commission’s composition was struck out as it had been overtaken by events.
The Council also approved the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Ahmed Ademola Bakre, and a name change notification for Justice I. A. Osayande, now Justice I. A. Dika, of the Edo State High Court.
Major Reform Notice
In a significant policy shift, the NJC announced that names of nominees for judicial appointments to Superior Courts of Record will now be published for public scrutiny and feedback, in a move aimed at promoting transparency and accountability in judicial recruitment.
