As part of measures to sustain the sanctity of the courts, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two judges over poor conduct while performing their duties in Rivers and Anambra states.
The two affected judges were: Justice G. C. Aguma and Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Rivers and Anambra State High Courts
Aside from that, the judicial commission recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age.
The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.
Apart from recommending the judges’ compulsory retirement to their respective state governors, the NJC also demanded the refund of the salaries they earned during their illegitimate overstay in service.
Meanwhile, the commission inaugurated a committee to investigate petitions against the Chief Judge of Osun State, Justice O. A. Ojo.
NJC issued the directives after its 107th meeting where the commission sanctioned five serving Judicial Officers for various acts of misconduct.
The commission stated that the Rivers and Anambra judges suspension included not performing judicial functions for a period of one year without pay
After the expiration of their one year suspension, both judges would be placed by the NJC on a watch list for two years thereafter.
However, the commission cleared Justice Peter Lifu of any wrongdoing, saying the judge neither exhibited personal interest in the Rivers State matter nor misconducted himself during proceedings.
The commission deliberated on 4 petitions against Hon. Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja as follows: Petition by Mr Douglas W. Chukwu, the Secretary of the Rivers State Independent Electoral Commission against Hon. Justice Lifu was discountenanced, as the petitioner who had earlier indicated interest to participate in the hearing of his petition failed, neglected and refused to appear before the Committee.
The Council also finds that the allegations of inducement to the tune of $1 million, a bullet-proof car and gift of a plot of land to Hon. Justice Lifu by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman, All Progressive Congress (APC), Rivers State, were not substantiated in any form.
It was also found that the same parties who appeared before the High Court in Rivers State, also appeared before Hon. Justice Lifu at the Federal High Court in Abuja, but failed to disclose or bring to the notice of the Hon. Judge the existence of a sister case at Rivers State High Court.
The Council noted that the acts of misconduct alleged were actually perpetuated by the petitioners who filed the case at the Rivers State High Court, after the case at the Federal High Court, Abuja had been instituted, suggesting forum shopping.
Council finds that Hon. Justice Lifu neither exhibited personal interest in the matter nor misconducted himself in the procedure and noted that the complaints contained in the petition are now subject of appeal by the petitioners.
Similarly, Council dismissed the two petitions by Abednego Benjamin, Chairman, Boot Party, Rivers State Chapter against Lifu, as it finds the allegations of bribery and other corrupt practices against the Subject Judge were unsubstantiated.
It also finds that there is no proof of misconduct in the ex parte orders made by the Subject Judge. Council also noted that the ex parte orders are now the subject of appeals.
On the petition by Dr. G. M. Giles-West Clark, Rivers State House of Assembly against Hon. Justice Joyce Abdulmalik of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, the Council finds that the petition was not supported with a verifying affidavit and was therefore, discountenanced.
On the petition against the Court of Appeal by Aham Eke-Ejelama, SAN, Council finds that the matters were cases that were commenced during vacation. It also finds that they were urgent matters assigned to vacation Justices and that vacation Judges sit in Abuja.
Council also finds the assertion that the Appellants’ counsel applied to be heard in Abuja, is not correct as only a Head of Court can assign vacation cases. Consequently, Council dismissed the petition for lack of substance.
Council thereafter directed the President of the Court of Appeal should deal with the assignment of the appeals administratively in the normal course of business.
