The National Judicial Council (NJC) has directed the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to reverse the appointment of the state’s Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu.
The NJC, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also directed that Justice Nzeukwu should be issued a query to show cause within seven (7) days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as the Chief Judge of the state.
The Council, during its 108th Meeting, also suspended three serving Judicial Officers, including a Justice of the Court of Appeal, for one year each without pay for various acts of judicial misconduct.
Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang, Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, was suspended following the Investigation Committee’s findings that His Lordship breached Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Also suspended was Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang, who 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 the interlocutory stage of the case.
“The act of judicial misconduct occurred while His Lordship presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, at the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division, before his elevation to the Court of Appeal.
“Furthermore, Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, has been placed on suspension for one (1) year without pay. His Lordship was also placed onWatch-List for five (5) years and barred from elevation for five (5) years.
The complaints against Hon. Justice Ekwo arose from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, wherein His Lordship delivered a Ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties.
His Lordship ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the Court conducted in the absence of the parties. Subsequently, His Lordship proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the Charge against the Defendants.
Consequently, His Lordship was found to have violated Rule 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Council also suspended Hon. Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, for a period of one (1) year without pay for judicial misconduct 5 in breach of Rule 3 (1) and 5 of the 2016 Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
It also placed His Lordship on the Watch List for three (3) years, within which period he is barred from elevation.
