NJC: Suspends Three Judges in Nigeria Over Misconduct

• The National Judicial Council suspended three judges for one year without pay due to misconduct including unlawful detention and abuse of judicial powers.
• Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir was suspended for detaining a litigant for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings.
• Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu was suspended for exceeding his authority by reopening a settled judgment.
• Justice Sobere Biambo received a suspension for ordering arrests and imposing fines without due contempt procedures.
• The NJC also cautioned eight other judicial officers and issued warning letters to three more for various procedural infractions.

The NJC's firm stance against the abuse of judicial power Nigeria demonstrates a clear message that procedural irregularities, particularly concerning contempt proceedings, ex parte orders, and post-judgment enforcement, will not be tolerated.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) recently took significant disciplinary action against several members of Nigeria's judiciary, suspending three judges for a year without pay due to various acts of misconduct. These actions, which included unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial powers, and a disregard for due process, were decided during the NJC’s 112th meeting on November 3, 2026. Chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the council also issued cautions to eight other judicial officers and approved warning letters for an additional three judges.

Among those facing the most severe penalties were 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. Their suspensions underscore a firm stance against judicial impropriety. The NJC's comprehensive review process also involved considering 35 petitions from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, leading to the dismissal of 24 for lack of merit, further investigation into four, and one placed in abeyance due to its sub judice status.

The disciplinary measures against the three suspended judges stemmed from distinct and serious procedural violations. Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir faced suspension for ordering the arrest and subsequent detention of a litigant for 58 days. This drastic measure was taken over alleged disobedience of a court order, yet critically, it occurred without the initiation of proper contempt proceedings or the mandatory service of Forms 48 and 49. The NJC determined that Justice Kabir's actions infringed upon the litigant’s fundamental right to a fair hearing, also barring her from elevation for three years.

Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu's suspension arose from his involvement in reopening a judgment previously delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court. Investigations revealed that Grand Kadi Salihu exceeded his jurisdictional authority by establishing a committee to review the existing judgment and subsequently reassigning the case to another judge. This new judge then admitted fresh evidence and issued a new judgment, a process the NJC deemed equivalent to an unauthorized appeal against a valid judgment from a competent court. Like Justice Kabir, Grand Kadi Salihu was also prohibited from elevation for three years. Similarly, Justice Sobere Biambo was sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing N300,000 fines on each in a civil dispute, again without adhering to proper contempt proceedings or serving the required forms, leading to a three-year bar from elevation.

Beyond the three suspensions, the National Judicial Council addressed a spectrum of other judicial misconduct, issuing cautions and warning letters to several other officers. Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court, for instance, received a caution for his handling of post-judgment garnishee proceedings. He granted a new ex parte application for a Garnishee Order Nisi even after an earlier, similar application had been withdrawn and struck out, and while other critical applications, including one for a stay of execution, were still pending. This highlights concerns about the appropriate use of ex parte orders.

Further instances of Nigerian judicial misconduct included Justice Bello Kawu, who was cautioned for granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order from another judge. Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana received warning letters for delivering an appeal judgment outside the constitutionally mandated 90-day period. Other judicial officers cautioned or placed on the NJC’s Watch List included Justice Mohammed Zubairu for issuing orders after an appeal was entered, Justice C. A. Ogbuagor for continuing proceedings despite a pending appeal and stay application, and Justice Chibuike Azuama for granting an ex parte garnishee order that froze the accounts of Puma Energy, a company not party to the original suit.

These recent disciplinary actions by the National Judicial Council underscore its unwavering commitment to maintaining the integrity and due process within the Nigerian judiciary. The NJC's firm stance against the abuse of judicial power Nigeria demonstrates a clear message that procedural irregularities, particularly concerning contempt proceedings, ex parte orders, and post-judgment enforcement, will not be tolerated. This robust oversight is crucial for ensuring public confidence in the judicial system and upholding the rule of law.

The comprehensive nature of these sanctions, ranging from suspensions to cautions and warning letters, serves as a significant precedent. It signals to all legal practitioners the critical importance of strict adherence to established legal procedures. Lawyers now have a clearer framework for challenging judicial actions that deviate from due process, as the NJC is actively sanctioning judges for such infractions. This development reinforces the judiciary's accountability and its dedication to fair and just administration of justice.

This development signals the National Judicial Council's continued commitment to upholding judicial integrity and due process in Nigeria. Lawyers must ensure strict adherence to procedural rules, particularly concerning contempt proceedings, ex parte orders, and post-judgment enforcement, as the NJC is actively sanctioning judges for deviations and abuse of power. This provides a clear precedent for challenging judicial actions that violate established legal procedures.

Source: Original reporting via Channels TV