Connect with us

Metro

Three Judges Suspended As NJC Voids Imo Acting CJ’s Appointment

Published

on

The National Judicial Council has declared the appointment of  Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge of Imo State void, directing the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately reverse the decision and appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.

The decision was part of the resolutions taken at the NJC’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

In a statement released by the Council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, the NJC  “directed the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state High Court’s hierarchy as the acting Chief Judge of the state in conformity with Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

Advertisement

Citing the constitutional provision, the NJC stated:“If the office of the Chief Judge of a state is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions.”

The Council further directed Justice Nzeukwu to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Imo State, contrary to constitutional stipulations.

READ ALSO: JUST IN: Court Sentences Controversial Singer, Portable To Imprisonment

Advertisement

It also took disciplinary measures against the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State,  Justice V. U. Okorie, who presided over the Judicial Service Commission (meeting that recommended Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment.

Justice Okorie was similarly asked to also show cause within seven days “why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.”

In a broader move targeting judicial misconduct, the NJC suspended three judicial officers, including a sitting Justice of the Court of Appeal, for one year without pay.

Advertisement

Among those sanctioned is Justice Jane  Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, who was found to have abused her office while serving as a judge of the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division.

The NJC said,“Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at interlocutory stage of the case.”

According to the NJC, Justice Inyang’s actions were found to be in breach of Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

Advertisement

The misconduct took place in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023 before her elevation to the Court of Appeal.

Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was also suspended for one year without pay and placed on a five-year watch-list, during which he is barred from elevation.

The NJC found that: “His Lordship delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties… proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the Charge against the Defendants,” which contravened Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.

Advertisement

Similarly, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was suspended for one year without pay and placed on a three-year watch-list.

He was found guilty of granting orders restraining security agencies from carrying out their statutory duties in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 (Government of Zamfara State vs EFCC), and for disregarding the doctrine of stare decisis.

READ ALSO: Court Restrains Abia Govt From Appointing New Judges

Advertisement

The NJC also issued a letter of caution to Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, over a petition filed in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021 between Chief Adesanya Musediku and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2.

Other disciplinary matters included the empaneling of nine committees to investigate 27 judicial officers over various allegations.

The council also dismissed 29 petitions and placed several others in abeyance pending appellate court decisions.

Advertisement

It noted: “Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which contained a total number of 43 petitions. Nine Committees were empanelled for further investigation of eleven petitions, while 29 petitions were dismissed for lacking in merit.”

The NJC also considered and rejected a petition challenging the 2022 judicial appointment exercise in Zamfara State.

The petitioner, Mahmud Aliyu, was found to be “an interested party who had indicated interest but was not selected.”

Advertisement

READ ALSO: FULL LIST : Judges Recommended For Appointment As  S’Court Justices, Others

The council concluded his allegations were “unsubstantiated and substantially based on falsehood” and barred him from future participation in judicial appointment processes.

Furthermore, the NJC dismissed a petition challenging the recruitment process for six Federal High Court judges in 2021, citing a violation of Section 11(1) of the Judicial Discipline Regulations, which requires complaints to be filed within six months of the alleged event.

Advertisement

Significantly, the NJC also resolved to make the appointment of judicial officers more transparent by inviting public input, stating: “Henceforth, the names of candidates being considered for appointment as judicial officers to superior courts of records will be published for information and comments by the public.”

The aim, it said, is “to solicit comments from the public where there is objection to the integrity, reputation and/or competence of the candidates by opening the process to public participation and scrutiny.”

The council also accepted the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Bakre and approved a name change for  Justice I. A. Osayande of the Edo State High Court, now to be known as Hon. Justice I. A. Dika.

Advertisement

(PUNCH)

Metro

NDLEA Arrests 54 Suspected Traffickers, Seizes 1,506.57kg of Drugs In Edo

Published

on

Operatives of the Edo State Command of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, NDLEA, have arrested 54 suspected drug traffickers with 1,506.57kg of various narcotic drugs.

The state commander of the agency, Mitchell Ofoyeju disclosed this on Tuesday while presenting the operational scorecard of the command in Benin City.

Ofoyeju said the seizure of the drugs and arrest of the suspects took place in the month of September.

Advertisement

He added that a total of 66,078,57kg of skunk cannabis were destroyed by the Command in the period under review.

READ ALSO:NDLEA Arrests Lady Smuggling Drugs Inside Butt Pads, Phone Chargers

The Commander, who said that the command recorded significant successes in its operations within the month, added that it was part of its concerted effort to combat drug trafficking and abuse in the state.

Advertisement

He gave the breakdown of the arrested suspects to include 43 males and 11 females.

He also added that during the operation six illicit plantations spanning over 26.43 hectares were destroyed.

Ofoyeju explained that the destroyed plantations were located at Ugbogui Forest, Ovia South West, Ataroro Forest, Owan West, Urohi Forest, Esan West, and Ogu Forest, Igueben Local Government Areas of the State with an estimated yield of 66,078.5715 kg of skunk cannabis.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:NDLEA Busts Cartel, Recovers ₦6.4bn Drugs From Kingpins

“The command also intercepted 1,506.57kg of illicit drugs,” Mitchell stated while emphasising the command’s commitment to dismantling drug trafficking networks operating within the state.

“The breakdown of the seized drugs is as follows: Cannabis Sativa 1,502. 26 Kg, psychotropic substances 4.27kg including tramadol 3.964kg, nitrazepam 0.087kg, Swinol 0.0445kg, Danabol (Molly) 0.1163kg, methamphetamine 0.0184 Kg, cocaine 0.028 Kg and heroin 0.014kg”, he said.

Advertisement

The NDLEA Commander in the state while expressing determination in the command’s campaign against drug trafficking, reiterated the importance of strategic operations in safeguarding communities and reducing drug demand.

He posited that the successs signified a critical step toward reclaiming the safety and health of citizens, as Edo State continues to grapple with the pressing issues of drug trafficking and abuse.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Metro

Army Officer Dies After Wife Allegedly Sets Him Ablaze In Akwa Ibom

Published

on

A Nigerian Army officer, Lieutenant Samson Haruna, has died after sustaining severe burns when his wife allegedly set him on fire during a domestic dispute in Akwa Ibom State.

The incident reportedly occurred on September 22, 2025, at the Wellington Bassey Barracks in Ibagwa, Abak Local Government Area of the state.

According to a report shared on X by counter-insurgency expert Zagazola Makama on Tuesday, the late officer, who served as a Regimental Medical Officer with the Army’s 6 Battalion, had a heated altercation with his wife, identified as Mrs. Samson Haruna, which escalated violently.

Advertisement

READ ALSO:14-year-old Dies After Botched Secret Breast Surgery

Sources cited by Makama alleged that during the argument, the woman doused her husband with petrol and set him ablaze.

Lt. Haruna was first treated at the military medical unit within the barracks before being transferred to the University of Uyo Teaching Hospital, where he later died from his injuries despite efforts by medical personnel to save him.

Advertisement

Military sources confirmed that the suspect has been arrested and remains in custody as investigations continue into the circumstances surrounding the incident.

Continue Reading

Metro

Stop Using Edo Money For Federal Roads, Residents Tell Okpebholo

Published

on

Residents of Benin, the Edo State capital have urged Governor Monday Okpebholo to stop using money accruing to the state on federal government projects.

The residents, who frowned at the governor’s unrelenting efforts in fixing federal roads, lamented that most state-owned roads are in the state of disrepair.

According to the residents, roads in the Government Reservation Area (GRA) have failed and are not motorable, adding that several other state-owned roads have failed and are in need of urgent repairs.

Advertisement

An Activist and head of Talakawas Parliament, in Edo State, Kola Edokpaiyi, said it was ‘busy body’ that made Okpebholo to abandon state-owned roads that are crying for attention in favour of federal roads.

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Poised To Surpassing People’s Expectations — Edo Deputy Gov

He said, “There are so many deplorable state roads in Edo State that are not motorable. We expect the Governor of Edo State to quickly give attention to them all before considering Federal Roads if the state is too rich.

Advertisement

“The Minister of Works, Mr. David Umahi has visited federal roads in Edo State about two times to ascertain how deplorable the roads are. He has already given the brief to Mr. President. We expect the Minister to swing into action based on the huge finance allocated by Federal Government to get the work done.

“I want to appeal to His Excellency, Senator Monday Okpebholo to address the so many state roads that are bad.”

READ ALSO:Okpebholo Warns Companies Against Fuelling Edo–Delta Boundary Dispute

Advertisement

Also, a commercial driver, who plies between Ring Road and Ebvuotubu, Joseph Ikpigho, said he spent more money to fix his car due to bad roads.

Recall that Okpebholo has embarked on reconstruction of 23 kilometres of the Sapele Road axis of the East-West road.

He is also assisting the Federal Government to fix failed portions of the Benin-Ekpoma-Auchi highway.

Advertisement
Continue Reading

Trending