NJC suspends three judges for a year without pay, issues warnings to seven others

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over misconduct, and cautioned seven others.

The decisions were taken at the council's 112th meeting on Tuesday, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and announced by NJC spokesperson Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe.

Those suspended are Justice Hannatu Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, who ordered a litigant held for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings; Grand Kadi Mohammed Salihu of the Jigawa Sharia Court of Appeal, who reopened a judgment from an FCT court; and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court, who issued bench warrants and fines against petitioners in a civil case. Kabir and Biambo are also barred from promotion for three years.

Among those warned is Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court, who granted interim bail to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami while a remand order was still in force. Others were cautioned for continuing with cases despite pending appeals, or for failing to deliver judgment within the 90 days set by the constitution.

Twenty-four complaints were thrown out as baseless, sent four for further investigation, and recommended 28 candidates for appointment as judges.