NJC Suspends 3 Judicial Officers, Issues Warning Letters To 3, Cautions 8 Others

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over alleged misconduct and violations of judicial procedures.

The decision was reached at the Council’s 112th meeting held in Abuja.

The affected judicial officers are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.

The Council also barred Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir from elevation for three years, while Justice Sobere Biambo was placed under a three-year restriction on promotion over the issuance of bench warrants and imposition of fines on litigants in a civil dispute without following due process.

In addition to the suspensions, the NJC issued warning letters to three judicial officers and cautioned eight others over various forms of misconduct.

The Council further directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, among candidates to be interviewed for the substantive position of Chief Judge of Imo State.

Meanwhile, the NJC recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments as part of efforts to strengthen the administration of justice and improve the delivery of judicial services across the country.