NJC suspends three judges for one 12 months over misconduct, bars them from promotion

The selections have been reached on the Council’s 112th assembly, held on November 3, 2026, underneath the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

The NJC additionally accepted the issuance of warning letters to 3 judges following investigations into petitions regarding their conduct of judicial proceedings.

The affected judicial officers suspended for one 12 months are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.

Justice Biambo was additionally suspended for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing fines of N300,000 on every of them in reference to a civil dispute with out complying with the prescribed contempt procedures. He equally did not serve the related varieties earlier than making the orders. Like Grand Kadi Salihu, he was barred from consideration for elevation for 3 years.

The Council additional issued a warning to Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court over his dealing with of post-judgment garnishee proceedings in a case involving First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

According to the NJC, the choose granted a recent ex parte software for a Garnishee Order Nisi after an earlier software on the identical matter had been withdrawn and struck out. This was completed whereas different pending functions, together with a request for a keep of execution, have been but to be heard.

Among the opposite disciplinary actions, the Council accepted a warning in opposition to Justice Bello Kawu for granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, regardless of an current remand order issued by one other choose.

Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana have been additionally issued warning letters for delivering judgments in an enchantment after the expiration of the constitutionally stipulated 90-day interval.

Other judicial officers cautioned or positioned on the Council’s Watch List included Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court, who made orders after being notified that an enchantment had been entered on the Court of Appeal.

The NJC additionally cited Justice C. A. Ogbuagor of the Enugu State High Court for persevering with proceedings regardless of a pending enchantment and an software for keep of proceedings. Justice Chibuike Azuama of the Imo State High Court was equally cautioned for issuing an ex parte garnishee order that froze the financial institution accounts of Puma Energy, an organization that was not a celebration to the substantive swimsuit.

The Council additionally reviewed 29 petitions forwarded by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees. Of these, 24 have been dismissed for missing benefit, 4 have been beneficial for additional investigation, whereas one was suspended from consideration as a result of the matter was sub judice.

It additional ordered the continuation of investigations right into a petition in opposition to Justice G. N. Ugbala of the Ebonyi State High Court, however the petitioner’s discover of withdrawal.

Beyond its disciplinary proceedings, the NJC beneficial 28 candidates for judicial appointments throughout completely different states of the federation.

The suggestions comprised 24 candidates for appointment as judges of the High Courts in Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun States, alongside a Grand Kadi for the Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal, a Kadi for the Adamawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and two judges for the Adamawa State Customary Court of Appeal.

The Council additionally directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission so as to add the title of the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, to the shortlist for appointment as substantive Chief Judge. The directive adopted a petition difficult her exclusion from the choice course of.

In addition, the NJC accepted the retirement notifications of six judicial officers, together with two Justices of the Supreme Court. It additionally conveyed its condolences over the deaths of 9 judicial officers recorded between May and September 2026.