NJC Sacks One Judge, Sets Up Committees To Investigate 51 Judicial Officers

In a groundbreaking move, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has made significant decisions impacting the judiciary. Following a thorough investigation spurred by a petition from Dapo Olowo and Polaris Bank, the NJC has recommended the dismissal of Justice S. O. Falola from the Osun State High Court.

The investigation revealed troubling details, including the judge’s issuance of a Garnishee Order Absolute against Polaris Bank, amounting to Two Hundred and Eighty-Three Million, One Hundred and Seventy-Four Thousand Naira. This action was deemed suspicious due to the issuance of a garnishee on an account unrelated to the judgment debtor’s.

Furthermore, the inquiry uncovered unsettling behavior, with the judge’s frequent trips to Lagos to meet the bank’s legal representative, a conduct unbecoming of a Judicial Officer according to established standards.

As a result, the NJC has taken the unprecedented step of recommending the judge’s compulsory retirement to Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State. Pending this decision, the judge has been directed to proceed on suspension.

Moreover, the NJC issued a caution notice to Justice A. I. Akobi of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory. Simultaneously, petitions against several other judicial officers, including Justice Ekaete Obot of Akwa Ibom State, Justice Benson Anya of Abia State, Justice Z B Abubakar of the Federal High Court, Justice Opufaa Ben-Whyte, and Augusta Uche K. Chuku of Rivers State, have been dismissed.

In a bid for comprehensive scrutiny, the NJC has established eleven panels to investigate fifty-one fresh petitions against Federal and State Judicial Officers.

Amidst the ongoing conflict between the Governor of Osun State and the Chief Judge, the NJC declined the Governor’s request to appoint another judge in an acting capacity. It affirmed Justice Ojo as the recognized Chief Judge of Osun State, emphasizing its constitutional authority to investigate Judicial Officers and make recommendations to the Governor.

Additionally, Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), A. A. Aribisala, faces investigation and disciplinary action by the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for derogatory remarks against a Judicial Officer.