The National Judicial Council (NJC) has formed four probe panels to investigate 27 high court judges across Nigeria over allegations of judicial misconduct.
This decision was made following the Council’s 106th meeting, which was chaired by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukayode Ariwoola.
In a related development, the NJC issued a letter of caution to Justice O. M. Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court, advising him to exercise greater discretion as a judicial officer, even in difficult circumstances.
Justice Olagunju had reportedly used inappropriate language in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in which he challenged the Council’s decision and its policy on the appointment of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.
The NJC’s actions were based on the findings of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which reviewed 22 petitions against 27 judges from both Federal and State High Courts.
After considering the committee’s report, the Council decided that the petitions with substantial evidence would be investigated further by the newly formed panels.
According to a statement by NJC Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, 18 of the petitions were dismissed due to lack of merit, abandonment, or because they were sub judice.
The dismissed petitions involved several prominent judicial figures, including Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, and other Justices from the Court of Appeal and Federal High Court.
Additionally, the NJC has placed five judges on a pre-sanction watch list due to poor performance.
These judges will be closely monitored, and if they do not show improvement, they may face appropriate sanctions from the Council.
During the meeting, which was his last before retirement, Justice Ariwoola expressed gratitude for the support he received from Council members and the Secretariat, urging them to extend the same cooperation to his successor.
In response, the members of the Council praised the outgoing CJN for his service and wished him well in his retirement.
