In a statement released by the Deputy Director of Information of the NJC, Kemi Babalola, on Wednesday April 30, 2025, the National Judicial Council (NJC), under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, at its 108th Meeting held in Abuja, has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay due to various acts of judicial misconduct.
The affected judges are:
1. Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division;
2. Hon. Justice Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara; and
3. Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang* of the Court of Appeal.
The NJC’s decision follows thorough investigations by its committees, which established breaches of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. Specifically:
– Justice Inyang Ekwo was found liable for abuse of discretionary power in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/626/2023 (Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Ors v. Seplat Energy Plc & 12 Ors), where he wrongly granted ex parte orders, leading to operational disruptions for the defendant company.
Justice Ekwo was also placed watch list for five years and barred from elevation for five years as well.
This act was deemed a gross misconduct and an embarrassment to the judiciary.
– Justice Baffa Aliyu was sanctioned for judicial misconduct in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 (*Government of Zamfara State v. EFCC*), where he issued an order restraining security agencies from performing statutory duties and disregarded the doctrine of stare decisis, thereby undermining judicial consistency.
– Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have breached Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of a petitioner’s petrol station and other businesses at the interlocutory stage in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023 while presiding at the Federal High Court, Uyo Division, before her elevation to the Court of Appeal. This action constituted an abuse of office.
The NJC, in its resolution, emphasized its commitment to upholding judicial integrity and public confidence in the judiciary.
The suspensions take effect immediately, and the affected judges will not receive salaries during this period.
Additionally, the Council has initiated investigations into 27 other judges for alleged misconduct, while dismissing 29 petitions against various judges for lack of merit or being sub judice.
The NJC also issued a caution to Justice A. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, regarding a petition in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021, and placed petitions against Justice Othman Musa and Justice Inyang Ekwo in abeyance pending outcomes at the Court of Appeal.
The public is urged to continue supporting the NJC’s efforts to maintain a judiciary that adheres to the highest standards of ethics and accountability.
Be the first to comment