The National Judicial Council, NJC, on Friday, said it has constituted panels to investigate eight judges for alleged judicial misconduct.

The Council, in a statement it made available to newsmen, said its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees filtered 35 petitions that were written against the judicial officers and them to be meritorious.

However, the legal body stressed that other petitions that were brought against 20 High Court judges across the federation, were dismissed for lack of merit, evidence of misconduct, subjudice or that they were matters that could be appealed.

It further disclosed that stern warnings were issued to Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja for abuse of discretionary power of a Judge by wrongly granting an ex parte order, as well as to Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of the Delta State High Court for his failure to deliver judgement within stipulated period.Whereas Justice Ekwo was barred from getting promotion to the appellate court for a period of two years, Justice .

Brikins-Okolosi was barred for three years.Besides, the NJC, which took the decisions at

its 105th plenary meeting held on May 15 and 16, okayed the elevation of 22 judges to the Court of Appeal.

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Among those that made the list of judges to be promoted to the bench of the appellate court, included the wife of the former Governor of Rivers State and Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Abuja, Hon. Justice Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette.

According to the Council, 64 others were recommended for appointment as judges of various other lower courts.

It said the recommended candidates were expected to be sworn-in after the approval of their appointment by President Bola Tinubu and Governors of their respective states.

Likewise, the Council said it deliberated on the notification of retirements of three Judicial Officers, among whom included the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, as well as the notification of death of three Judges of the Federal and State Courts. The statement, which was signed by the Director of Information at the NJC,

Soji Oye, read: “The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON, at its plenary of 105th Meeting held on 15 & 16 May 2024, resolved to issue warning letters to Hon Justice Inyang E. Ekwo of the Federal High Court and Hon. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court.

“Hon Justice Inyang E. Ekwo is warned for abuse of discretionary power of a Judge 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.

“The Hon Judge is also barred from being elevated to a higher Bench for a period of two years.

“Hon. Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi of Delta State High Court is also issued a warning for failure to deliver judgement within stipulated period in Joseph Anene Okafor Vs Skye Bank, Suit No A/94/2010 after parties had filed and adopted their final Written Addresses.

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“Justice G. B. Brikins-Okolosi will also not be elevated to a higher Bench for a period of three years.

“Council cautioned Hon. Justice Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court for issuing Writ of Possession Conferring Title on the Defendant in Suit No YBS/HC/NNR/1cv/2020 when there was no subsisting judgement of any Court to enable His Lordship issue the Writ.

“Council at the meeting considered two Reports of its two Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees that filtered 35 petitions written against Judges of the Federal and State High Courts and decided to empanel eight Committees to further investigate the petitions that were found meritorious by the Committees.

“Petition against various Judges were dismissed for lack of merit, evidence of misconduct, subjudice or that they were matters that could be appealed.

“The dismissed petitions were against Hon Justices A. M. Liman, A. A. Okeke, D. E. Osiagor of the Federal High Court, Hon Justices S. B. Belgore, Bello Kawu both of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Hon Justices O. A. Chijioke, A. E. Akeredolu and Kadi M. U. El-Mainari who sat on Election Petition Tribunal in Edo State, Hon Justice Okey Paulinus Aneke, High Court Enugu State and Hon Justice C. Anya of Abia State.

“Others are Hon Justices M. A. Ikpambese and W. I. Kpochi both of Benue High Court, Hon Justices T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka Chief Judge and B. C. Iheka of Imo State High Court, Hon Justice Rose Godwin Soji of Nasarawa State High Court, Hon Justice T. J. Yakubu, High Court Taraba State, High Justices W. N. Danagogo and Chinwendu Nworgu, High Court Rivers State, Hon Justice C. C. Okaa, High Court Anambra State and Hon Justice Abdullahi Sulyman High Court, Kogi State.

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“The Council deliberated on the notification of retirements of three Judicial Officers including that of the Chief Justice of Nigeria Hon Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, GCON and notification of death of three Judges of the Federal and State Courts.

“Council at the Meeting also considered the recommendation of its Interview Committee on Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria and resolved to recommend the under-listed 86 Judicial Officers for appointment to the Court of Appeal, High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Sharia Courts of Appeal and Customary Courts of Appeal of States in Nigeria.”

They are as follows: “Twenty-Two (22) Justices, Court of Appeal: Hon. Justice Kwahar Polycarp Terna, Hon. Justice Ruqayat Oremei Ayoola, Hon. Justice Eleojo Eneche, Hon. Justice Asma’u Akanbi-Yusuf, Hon. Justice Abdullahi Muhammad Liman, Hon. Justice Abdu Dogo, Hon. Justice Fadawu Umaru, Hon. Justice Ishaq Mohammed Sani, Hon. Justice Zainab Bage Abubakar, Hon. Justice Abdulazeez M.  Anka, Hon. Justice Nnamdi Okwy Dimgba, Hon. Justice Nwoye Victoria Tochukwu, Hon. Justice Nwabunkeonye Onwosi, Hon. Justice Okorowo Donatus Uwaezuoke.

“Hon. Justice Ngozika Uwazurunonye Okaisabor, Hon. Justice Ntong Festus Ntong, Hon. Justice Nehizena Idemudia Afolabi, Hon. Justice Nyesom-Wike Eberechi Suzzette, 19. Hon. Justice Lateef Babajide Lawal-Akapo, Hon. Justice Akinyemi Abiodun Azeem, Hon. Justice Oyewumi Oyejoju Oyebiola and Hon. Justice Olukayode Adegbola Adeniyi.

“Twelve (12) Judges, High Court, FCT, Abuja: Ademuyiwa Olakunle Oyeyipo, Bamodu Odunayo Olutomi, Anumaenwe Godwin Iheabunike, Odo Celestine Obinna, Hauwa Lawal Gummi, Abdurahman Usman, Buetnaan Mandy Bassi, Sarah Benjamin Inesu Avoh, Maryan Iye Yusuf, Ariwoola Oluwakemi Victoria, Lesley Nkesi Belema Wike and Munirat Ibrahim Tanko.

“Seven (7) Judges, Imo State High Court: Akowundu Cletus Ndubuisi, Uchenna Mary Njoku, Chibuogwu Ojiugo Chukwumaeze, Ononogbo Chidi Linus, Adaego Peace Nosiri, Emeka Ozoma Orafu, Mathew Chinedu Ijezie.

“Six (6) Judges, Bauchi State High Court: Amin Umar Ilelah, Aliyu Bin Idris, Ahmed Shuaibu Ningi, Shafa’u Ladan Yusuf, Abdussalam Idris Waziri, Kawu A. Yerima.

“Three (3) Judges, Taraba State High Court: Hamidu Audu, Bibonga Jeniffer Nauma, Joel Daniel Ubandoma.

“Thirteen Judges, Lagos State High Court: Sunmonu Tunde Bashiru, Azeez Fimisola Augusta, Alebiosu Olawale Lawal, Adewale Russel Musiliu, Popoola Oluwatosin Ajose, Anjorin-Ajose Tanimola Abdulwaheed, Muyideen Abdul-Raheem Tejumade, George Alfred Akingbola, Balogun Adegboyega Ganiu, Shonubi Adenike Kudirat, Badejo-Okusanya Yewande Jokotola, Layinka Oyeladun Amope, Ojuromi Nalirat Olayinka Oluwatosin.

“Four (4) Judges, Kogi State High Court: Ajesola Joseph Sunday, Ojoma Rachael Haruna, Kadiri Badama, Ezema Beatrice Ada.

“Two (2) Judges, Jigawa State High Court: Mohammad El-Usman, Nilfa Abdullahi Gambo.

“Five (5) Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal, Bauchi State: Ishaku Magaji Abdurrahman Hassan Sabo, Bello Mohammed Sambowal, Muhyiddeen Mohammed, Mahmoud Idris Shehu Tiyin.

“Five (5) Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal, Kogi State: Muhammad Muhammad Bello, Okino Isah Saidu, Yakubu Adavenge Abbas, Shaibu Ridwan Aliyu, Idris Alhaji Abdullahi.

“One (1) Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal, Jigawa State: Mukhtar Shuaibu Adam.

“Three (3) Judges, Imo State Customary Court of Appeal: Everyman Ezenna Eleanya, Ofoha Sylvesta Uchenna, Ibeh Rosemond Oluchi.

“Two Judges, Customary Court of Appeal, Taraba State: Esther Tata, Benjamin Samuila Bawage.

“One (1) Judge, Customary Court of Appeal, Kogi State: Maryann Oziohu Otaru.

“All recommended candidates are expected to be sworn-in after the approval of the NJC recommendations to the President and their respective State Governors,” the statement read.

Governor Seyi Makinde Of Oyo State has noted that it is set to recruit 7,000 teachers into public primary schools.

This was disclosed by the Executive Chairman, Oyo State Universal Basic Education Board, OYOSUBEB, Dr. Nureni Aderemi Adeniran, during a press briefing in Ibadan on Friday.

The state government also said One hundred (100) caregivers will be employed into the special needs sub-sector in the state.

Speaking during the briefing, Adeniran said efforts were ongoing before now to recruit the teachers, in fulfilment of Governor Makinde’s promise.

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“In fulfilment of his electoral promise and the yearnings of the people of Oyo State, occasioned by the gap of Teachers in our public primary schools, Governor Seyi Makinde has approved the recruitment of 7,000 teachers in our public primary schools. In addition, he also approved the recruitment of 100 caregivers in our special schools”, he said.

Adeniran said the recruitment needs to be brought to the public domain, to avoid misleading information by scammers.

He appealed to intending applicants not to fall victim to fraudulent people, and be wary of scammers.

Adeniran stressed that the Board has not appointed anyone to be an agent to the Board, adding that the Board has just started preliminary work on the recruitment process.

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“The stages to follow to have a free, fair, credible exercise will emanate from this Board, signed by me”, Adeniran said.

He advised applicants not to hesitate to come to the Board to make enquiries and not rely on third-party information.

“No Staff member has been empowered to collect money from applicants”, he reiterated.

“We thank His Excellency for living up to his words. He fulfilled his promise and may God give him divine wisdom to navigate the affairs of the State.”

He said at the next stage, the Board will announce when applicants can apply, saying the Board is working with other relevant agencies for a seamless exercise.

Adeniran said the Board will comply strictly with the Governor’s directive to conduct an exercise, based on merit.

Former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola has disclosed that he named his University and college of health of science after his mother to preserve her legacy.

Speaking with journalists while unveiling Alolade Oyinlola College of Health Sciences and Information Technology, Okuku, Osun State, he said his father’s legacy has been adequately preserved, hence, the decision to make sure his mother’s does not vanish.

He added that his motive for establishing the institutions of learning was to ensure that youths in the state and the country get adequate education to rethink their future with a view to become innovative and drive the development of the country.

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“My father never had formal education but he so believed in education that the only legacy and property he was going to leave for any child is education and the benefit of going through that is what is happening today.

“Many of you know my background that I am 43rd child out of 64 of my father, despite not being an educated person he insisted that all children are educated.

“Besides, my legacy and that of my father is adequately preserved and even documented and we cannot be forgotten in a hurry. But in 250 years rime, who will remember that woman that gave birth to Olagunsoye Oyinlola, hence the naming of this institutions after her.

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“Also, The greatest deficiency in health care programme in Nigeria today is the health sector and you will see the incident of Japa is because people believe that there are greener pastures, so by way of advise is that Federal Government must pay serious attention to the rebuilding of health sector in Nigeria, pay the workers encouraging emoluments. I don’t encourage people to run out of the country”, he added.

In his remark, the chairman, implementation committee of the college, Professor Peter Okebukola, who is also a former Executive Secretary of the National Universities Commission, NUC, described the employment of top level human resources as the comparative advantage of the institution.

He emphasized the need by the employers of labour to prioritise the relevance of productivity of its personnel rather than the certificates they acquire, saying ability to deliver effectively on job mandates was critical to the socioeconomic growth of the nation.

According to Okebukola, the college runs Diploma programmes in Environmental Health Technology, Health Information Technology, Medical Laboratory Technician, Community Health Extension Workers and the courses were all accredited by the relevant professional bodies.