The National Judicial Council at its two days meeting on December 14 and 15 in Abuja, sanctioned three judges, prohibiting them from promotion to higher bench for a period of two to five years whenever they are due, following their actions in granting conflicting ex parte orders.
The affected judges include Hon. Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the High Court of Rivers State who was barred from elevation to higher Bench for two years whenever he is due.
Also, Hon. Justice Nusirat I. Umar of the High Court of Kebbi State barred from elevation to higher Bench for two years whenever due.
The NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, in a statement on Thursday, indicated that even though there was no written petition, allegations of corruption or impropriety against the subject judges, the Council, nevertheless, initiated investigation.
The Director of Information stared that the punishment is in pursuant to the NJC’s inherent disciplinary powers under the Constitution to unravel the circumstances that led to the spate of Exparte Orders granted by these Courts of coordinate jurisdiction over matters bearing same parties and subject matter.
According to the statement: “Even though there was no written petition, allegations of corruption or impropriety against the subject judges, Council nevertheless, initiated an investigation pursuant to its inherent disciplinary powers under the Constitution to unravel the circumstances that led to the spate of Exparte Orders granted by these Courts of coordinate jurisdiction over matters bearing same parties and subject matter.”
NJC Deputy Chairman, Hon. Justice Mary Peter-Odili, who chaired the meeting, endorsed the recommendations of the Investigation Committee set up in September 2021.