The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judges for one year without pay after finding them guilty of serious breaches of the judicial code of conduct. The affected judges are Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Uyo Division of the Court of Appeal, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court, and Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Zamfara Division of the Federal High Court.
Details of the Suspensions and Offences
 |
| Justice Inyang Ekwo |
Justice Inyang Ekwo received a one-year suspension, was placed on a five-year watch list, and is barred from career progression for five years. His offence involved delivering a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties or including their identities, which contravened Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the judicial code. The violation occurred in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, where he dismissed charges against defendants without proper proceedings.
READ ALSO: The Case of Justice Inyang Ekwo: A Judicial Career Under Scrutiny and the Quest for Accountability
 |
| Justice Jane Essien |
Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have abused her office by granting inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of commercial assets belonging to Udeme Esset, a former owner of Stratas Filling Station in Akwa Ibom State, at the interlocutory stage of the case. This action violated Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. The misconduct occurred while she presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023 at the Federal High Court, Uyo, prior to her elevation to the Court of Appeal.
Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu was suspended for one year, placed on a three-year watch list, and lost eligibility for promotion for three years. He was found guilty of granting an order restraining law enforcement agencies from performing their statutory duties in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 (Government of Zamfara State vs EFCC), and for disregarding the doctrine of stare decisis. These actions breached Rules 3 (1) and 5 of the 2016 Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Other Outcomes and Broader Context
- Several other judges, including Justice A. O. Awogboro (Federal High Court, Lagos), Justice C. N. Mbonu Nwenyi (Anambra State High Court), and Justice R. B. Haastrup (National Industrial Court), were cleared after investigations found insufficient evidence of misconduct.
- The NJC’s latest decisions highlight ongoing concerns about corruption and misconduct within the Nigerian judiciary, which can lead to miscarriages of justice and undermine public trust in the legal system. In December 2024, eight other judges were compulsorily retired or suspended for similar offences, reflecting a broader pattern of disciplinary action against judicial officers.
What the Public Should Know
- Judicial misconduct, especially at the appellate and high court levels, can have far-reaching consequences for justice delivery, including the potential for wrongful rulings and the erosion of confidence in the judiciary.
- The NJC’s disciplinary actions serve as a warning to other judicial officers and reinforce the importance of upholding ethical standards in the judiciary.
- The NJC’s willingness to clear judges where evidence is lacking also demonstrates a commitment to due process and fairness in its disciplinary proceedings.
These developments underscore the critical need for ongoing reforms and vigilance to ensure accountability and integrity within Nigeria’s judicial system.