NJC Takes Disciplinary Action Against Judges, Issues Warnings To Several Others

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over alleged misconduct and violations of established judicial procedures.

The affected officers 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.

The council also barred the three judicial officers from consideration for promotion or elevation for three years. In addition, several other judges received warnings and cautions over their handling of court cases.

According to Bush Radio Academy, the decisions were reached during the NJC’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

Justice Kabir was sanctioned for ordering the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience to a court order without following the mandatory procedures for contempt proceedings.

An investigation by the council found that she failed to serve the litigant with Forms 48 and 49, which are required before such detention can be ordered. The NJC consequently held that her action violated the litigant’s right to a fair hearing.

Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended over his handling of a judgment previously delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court. The council found that he exceeded his authority by establishing a committee to review the earlier judgment before transferring the matter to another judge, who admitted fresh evidence and delivered a different ruling.

The NJC considered the process improper, stating that it amounted to an attempt to appeal against a judgment already delivered by a court with the authority to determine the matter.

Justice Biambo was also sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing a fine of ₦300,000 on each of them in connection with a civil dispute. The council found that he took the action without following the required contempt procedures or serving the relevant legal documents.

Beyond the three suspensions, the NJC issued a warning to Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court over his handling of garnishee proceedings involving First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

The council faulted him for granting another ex parte application for a Garnishee Order Nisi after an earlier application concerning the same issue had been withdrawn and struck out. It also observed that he proceeded with the matter while other applications, including a request for a stay of execution, were still pending.

In another disciplinary decision, Justice Bello Kawu was sanctioned for granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge.

Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana also received warning letters for delivering judgments in an appeal after the constitutionally prescribed 90-day period.

Other judicial officers who received cautions or were placed on the council’s Watch List included Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court. He was faulted for issuing court orders after being informed that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal.

Similarly, Justice C. A. Ogbuagor of the Enugu State High Court was cautioned for continuing proceedings in a case despite a pending appeal and an application seeking a stay of execution.

Justice Chibuike Azuama of the Imo State High Court was also sanctioned for granting an ex parte garnishee order that froze the bank accounts of Puma Energy, despite the company not being a party to the substantive case.

The disciplinary actions form part of the NJC’s efforts to enforce judicial accountability and ensure that judicial officers comply with due process and established legal standards in the administration of justice.