NJC investigates seven judges and dismisses petitions against Odili and 25 other people

A commission to investigate the judges, according to the National Judicial Council, has been established.

Seven judges are being investigated for various allegations of corruption, and the National Judicial Council (NJC) has given its approval.

Following its two-day meeting on June 14 and 15, the council—which is statutorily able to sanction disloyal judicial officials nationwide—took this judgment.

It claims that panels have been put up to investigate the judges.

The meeting was presided over by Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice (CJN) Kayode Ariwoola, who also serves as the Council’s Chairman, according to a statement issued by Mr. Soji Oye, the NJC’s Director of Information.

Although the NJC withheld the names of the judges under investigation, it did state that they are “judicial Officers from the Court of Appeal and State High Courts”.

The Council claimed to have reviewed reports from numerous investigation committees and preliminary complaints assessment committees regarding petitions filed against 33 judicial officers from both the appellate and high courts and agreed with the committee’s recommendation that the seven judges be asked questions.

However, the NJC rejected petitions against 26 other people, among them former Supreme Court Justice Mary Peter Odili, for lack of merit, diligent prosecution, withdrawal of the petition, being subjudice, and because the subject judge had retired from the bench.

A rule prohibiting judges from moving from the High Court of Justice to the Customary Court of Appeal or vice versa was also established by the Council.

“The only exception allowed is when a new Customary Court of Appeal is established in a state, judges who indicate interest to go to the Customary Court of Appeal will be allowed to proceed,” the statement said.

The Council added that it has recommended 37 legal professionals for positions as High Court and Customary Courts of Appeal judges, Heads of Court, and Justices of the Court of Appeal.