The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court of Nigeria, Justice John Tsoho, has initiated a significant reshuffle within the judiciary following the suspension of Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Abuja judicial division. Justice Ekwo was suspended for one year by the National Judicial Council (NJC) over undisclosed reasons, prompting the Chief Judge to immediately replace him and redeploy several other judges to ensure continuity and efficiency in court proceedings.
Justice M. G. Umar, formerly serving in the Enugu judicial division, has been redeployed to Abuja to take over the duties of the suspended Justice Ekwo. This move is aimed at maintaining the smooth administration of justice in the nation’s capital, where Justice Ekwo presided before his suspension.
In addition to this key replacement, four other judges have been reassigned to different judicial divisions across the country. Justice Tijjani Garba Ringim has moved from Gombe to Yola, Justice M. T. Segun-Bello from Abakaliki to Enugu, Justice Bala Khalifa-Mohammed Usman from Yola to Awka, and Justice Amina Aliyu Mohammed from Awka to Gombe. These redeployments are effective immediately, with the judges expected to conclude all pending judgments in their current postings before assuming their new responsibilities.
Furthermore, judges stationed in the Abakaliki and Katsina divisions have been directed to handle all pending and new cases in their jurisdictions until further notice. All cases previously assigned to Court No. 5 in Abuja, where Justice Ekwo served, will now be managed by Justice Umar. The Chief Judge has assured litigants and legal practitioners that there is no need to apply for reassignment of cases that were before Justice Ekwo, as the transition will be handled administratively.
This judicial reshuffle reflects a proactive approach by the Federal High Court leadership to uphold the integrity and efficiency of the judiciary amidst challenges. By swiftly addressing the vacancy created by Justice Ekwo’s suspension and redistributing judicial responsibilities, the Chief Judge aims to minimize disruption to court operations and maintain public confidence in the justice system.
The National Judicial Council’s decision to suspend Justice Ekwo and the subsequent reshuffle underscore ongoing efforts to enforce accountability and discipline within Nigeria’s judiciary. As the affected judges settle into their new roles, stakeholders anticipate a continued commitment to timely and fair adjudication of cases across the Federal High Court divisions.