By Stephen Simon
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial powers and violation of due process.
The Council also cautioned eight other judicial officers and approved warning letters to three judges following investigations into complaints bordering on their handling of cases.
The decisions were taken at the NJC’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The suspended 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.
Justice Kabir was sanctioned for ordering the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings or service of the mandatory Forms 48 and 49. The Council also barred her from elevation for three years, holding that the action violated the litigant’s right to fair hearing.
Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended for exceeding his authority by reopening a judgment delivered by an FCT Upper Area Court and assigning the matter to another judge, who received fresh evidence and delivered a new judgment.
Justice Biambo was sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing fines of N300,000 each in a civil dispute without following prescribed contempt procedures. He was also barred from elevation for three years.
The NJC further cautioned Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court over his handling of garnishee proceedings involving First Bank of Nigeria Plc.
In another decision, Justice Bello Kawu was issued a warning over granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge.
Meanwhile, the Council considered 35 petitions, dismissing 24 for lack of merit, recommending four for further investigation and placing one in abeyance because it was sub judice.
Beyond the disciplinary measures, the NJC recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments across several states and directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in its shortlist for appointment as substantive Chief Judge.
