Kehinde Fajobi
The National Judicial Council (NJC), led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, is expected to hold a critical meeting soon to review reports from multiple committees on allegations of judicial misconduct.
This quarterly meeting, likely to be Justice Kekere-Ekun’s first as chair, has raised tension in the judiciary after her recent statement that errant judges would face disciplinary action.
According to Vanguard, a source close to the NJC said the meeting will be scheduled upon the Chief Justice’s return from an official trip abroad.
“The Chief Justice is eagerly awaiting the reports of various panels probing allegations of misconduct against judicial officers to act decisively on them,” the source said.
The NJC, established under Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, has the authority to appoint, promote, and discipline judicial officers.
Between May and August 2024, 22 petitions were submitted against 27 judges, which the NJC referred to its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee.
Of these, 18 petitions were dismissed for lack of merit, abandonment, or ongoing litigation, leaving 12 cases under investigation.
Eight panels were formed in June 2024 to investigate misconduct claims against specific judges, and four additional panels were created in August for judges facing prima facie cases.
Each panel has received written and oral responses from the implicated judges, with some granted additional time to prepare their defences.
The NJC meeting comes as prominent lawyers urge the council to address recent conflicts within the judiciary, including contradictory rulings on sensitive political cases.
These tensions have drawn criticism from legal experts, who argue that conflicting judgments harm the judiciary’s integrity.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN) Chief Mike Ahamba expressed dismay over conflicting orders among judges, stating, “The NJC should not wait for petitions when issues like this arise. They should refer to the law, call errant judges to order, and punish them.”
Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, also criticised the Federal High Court’s involvement in local matters, adding, “A Federal High Court has no jurisdiction over local government affairs. We need courts to respect their boundaries under the Constitution.”
High-profile lawyers, including Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, former chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, have voiced concerns over the judiciary’s declining standards.
Odinkalu noted, “The Federal High Court has unfortunately become the place where law falls into disrepute.”
The NJC’s impending decisions are seen as pivotal in restoring the judiciary’s image and re-establishing public trust.