The National Judicial Council (NJC) has constituted four investigative panels to probe 27 High Court judges accused of various acts of judicial misconduct.
The council, which is chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, also issued a stern warning to Justice O. M. Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court for the inappropriate language used in a letter directed to the CJN.
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The letter challenged the Council’s decision and policy regarding the appointment of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.
In a statement released by the NJC’s Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, it was disclosed that the council, during its 106th meeting, reviewed the report from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee.
The report pertained to 22 petitions filed against the 27 judges from both Federal and State High Courts.
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Following the review, the Council found the allegations in some of the petitions to be credible and consequently established four committees to thoroughly investigate the cases.
However, the NJC dismissed 18 other petitions due to lack of merit, abandonment, or because they were deemed sub judice.
Among the dismissed petitions were those against Hon. Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, and several other Justices from both the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court, including Hon. Justice John Tsoho, Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, and Hon. Justice Okon E. Abang.
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Additionally, five judges have been placed on the NJC’s pre-sanction Watch List Register due to poor performance.
The NJC indicated that these judges could face sanctions if their performance does not improve.
As this was the final meeting presided over by the outgoing CJN, Justice Ariwoola, before his retirement, he expressed his gratitude to the Council members and the Secretariat for their support.
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In return, the members praised the outgoing CJN and wished him good health in his retirement.
