NJC Axes Three Judges, Appoints Wike's Wife, 21 Others To Appeal Court | Independent Newspaper Nigeria
Source: Independent Newspapers Nigeria
ABUJA - The National Judicial Council (NJC) has barred Justices Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court Abuja, G.B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court, and Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court, from elevation to a higher bench for abuse of office.
The sanction followed a warning to Justice Ekwo for abuse of discretionary power of a Judge by wrongly granting an ex parte order in Suit No FHC/ABJ/C/626/2023, Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Ors V Seplat Energy Plc & 12 Ors.
"The Hon. Judge is also barred from being elevated to a higher bench for a period of two years," the NJC said.
Arising from its plenary of 105th meeting held on 15 & 16 May 2024, the NJC also bared Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi warned for failure to deliver judgement within stipulated period in Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, Suit No A/94/2010, after parties had filed and adopted their final Written Addresses.
Consequently, Justice Brikins-Okolosi will also not be elevated to a higher bench for a period of three years.
Similarly, the NJC cautioned Justice Amina Shehu for issuing Writ of Possession Conferring Title on the Defendant in Suit No YBS/HC/NNR/1cv/2020, when there was no subsisting judgement of any Court to enable His Lordship issue the Writ.
A statement on Friday by Soji Oye Esq, Director, Information, NJC, said the apex judicial body also recommended the appointment of 86 judicial officers for appointment to the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeal of States in Nigeria.
Among the 22 Justices elevated to the Court of Appeal are: Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette, (wife of Minister of Federal Capital Territory, Wike), Nnamdi Dimgba, Okorowo Donatus, Kwahar Terna, Ruqayat Ayoola, Eleojo Eneche,
Asma'u Akanbi-Yusuf, Abdullahi Liman, Abdu Dogo, Fadawu Umaru, Ishaq Sani, Zainab Abubakar, Abdulazeez Anka, Nwoye Victoria Tochukwu, Nwabunkeonye Onwosi, Ngozika Okaisabor, Ntong Festus Ntong, Nehizena Afolabi, Lateef Lawal-Akapo, Akinyemi Azeem, Oyewumi Oyebiola, and Olukayode Adeniyi.
Twelve (12) judges were recommended for High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, which include Ademuyiwa Oyeyipo, Bamodu Olutomi, Anumaenwe Godwin Iheabunike, Odo Celestine Obinna, Hauwa Lawal Gummi, Abdurahman Usman, Buetnaan Mandy Bassi, Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh, Maryan Iye Yusuf, Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria, Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike, and Munirat Ibrahim Tanko.
The NJC recommended seven judges for appointment to the Imo State High Court, six judges for Bauchi State High Court, and three for Taraba State High Court.
Thirteen (13) judges were recommended for Lagos State High Court, four for Kogi State High Court, and two for Jigawa State High Court.
Other recommendations by the NJC include, five Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State, five Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal Kogi State, and one Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal Jigawa State.
Three Judges recommended for Imo State Customary Court of Appeal, two Judges for Customary Court of Appeal Taraba State and one for Customary Court of Appeal Kogi State.
All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors, the NJC stated.