Fear grips judges as NJC panels wind up hearing on 55 petitions

Fear grips judges as NJC panels wind up hearing on 55 petitions

The National Judicial Council (NJC), led by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, is preparing for a pivotal meeting to deliberate on the findings of its various investigative panels. These panels have been scrutinizing allegations of misconduct against serving judicial officers across Nigeria.

This upcoming meeting, expected to be the NJC’s first quarterly session under Justice Kekere-Ekun’s leadership, is poised to be one of the most crucial of the year. Sources close to the NJC indicate that there is palpable tension within the judiciary as judges await the outcomes. The anxiety stems from Justice Kekere-Ekun’s recent vow to hold errant judicial officers accountable and restore integrity to the judicial system.

The NJC, established by Section 153 of the 1999 Constitution, is tasked with appointing, promoting, and disciplining judicial officers. In the last few months, the Council has been inundated with petitions, and it is set to review reports from several panels that have been investigating allegations of judicial misconduct.

Between May and August 2024, a total of 22 petitions were filed against 27 judges from both Federal and state high courts. These petitions were referred to the NJC’s Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee for review. After careful examination, the Committee dismissed 18 of the petitions, citing reasons such as lack of merit, abandonment by petitioners, or issues being sub judice (under judicial consideration). Meanwhile, another batch of eight panels was set up by the NJC to investigate additional allegations of misconduct.

A total of 12 petitions, out of the 55 initially filed, are still being investigated by 12 separate panels. Each of these panels comprises a chairperson and two other Council members. These panels have already submitted their findings to the individual judges involved, giving them the opportunity to respond both in writing and orally, with legal representation if desired. The judges have been given additional time to defend themselves, but sources suggest that the NJC has been firm in its approach, signaling that it would not delay its investigations indefinitely.

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The judicial community is on edge as the final quarterly meeting of the NJC is set to review the reports, after which decisions regarding the future of the involved judges will be made. Stakeholders are keenly watching this process, as the CJN’s leadership is expected to take a firm stance on maintaining the judiciary’s credibility.

Meanwhile, ongoing concerns about conflicting judicial orders have continued to surface. Recent controversies in Rivers State, involving contradictory orders by judges over the local council elections, have further fuelled fears that the judicial system is at risk of losing public trust. Leading legal figures have voiced strong objections to these developments, with calls for more decisive action to address the issue.

In response to the recent crisis, legal professionals such as Chief Mike Ahamba, SAN, and Professor Awa Kalu, SAN, have criticized the practice of judges issuing conflicting rulings, suggesting that it undermines the rule of law. They argue that such actions cause unnecessary political turmoil and harm the integrity of the judiciary. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) has also weighed in, condemning judicial overreach and calling for accountability.

As the NJC prepares to meet and review the findings of its various panels, the judiciary finds itself at a crossroads, with the potential for significant reforms and decisions that could reshape Nigeria’s legal landscape. Chief Justice Kekere-Ekun’s firm stance on eradicating judicial misconduct signals a new chapter for the country’s judiciary.

Written by Sakinat Musa Abubakar, Editor at Neptune Prime 

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