NJC Blocks Promotion Of Justices Ekwo And Brikins-Okolosi Due To Alleged Misconduct

NJC Blocks Promotion Of Justices Ekwo And Brikins-Okolosi Due To Alleged Misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has halted the promotion of two justices and reprimanded another due to abuse of office and misconduct. This announcement was made on Thursday, May 16, 2024, by the council’s Director of Information, Soji Oye………..CONTINUE READING

Soji Oye named the three judges involved: Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of the Delta State High Court, and Justice Amina Shehu of the Yobe State High Court.

The NJC decided to issue warning letters to the three judges after finding them guilty of various degrees of misconduct during the 105th plenary meeting, held between May 15 and 16, 2024, under the chairmanship of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.

Justice Ekwo and Justice Brikins-Okolosi have been barred from elevation to a higher bench for two years and three years, respectively. Ekwo was reprimanded for the abuse of discretionary power 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. Justice Brikins-Okolosi was warned for failing to deliver a judgment within the stipulated period in Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, suit no. A/94/2010, after parties had filed and adopted their final written addresses.

Justice Shehu was cautioned for issuing a Writ of Possession Conferring Title on the Defendant in suit no. YBS/HC/NNR/1cv/2020 without any subsisting judgment of any court to support such an action.

The NJC also recommended further investigation into two reports concerning judges of the Federal and State High Courts. The council considered two reports from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, which reviewed 35 petitions against judges of the Federal and State High Courts. Eight committees were empaneled to further investigate the petitions deemed meritorious by the initial review.

Additionally, the council dismissed petitions against several judges due to lack of merit, insufficient evidence of misconduct, sub judice, or issues that could be appealed. The dismissed petitions included those against Justices A. M. Liman, A. A. Okeke, D. E. Osiagor (Federal High Court), and Justices S. B. Belgore and Bello Kawu (High Court of the Federal Capital Territory), among others.

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