A letter of advice has been issued by the National Judicial Council to Justice O. M. Olagunju, a Judge at the Oyo State High Court. The council urged her to exercise caution in her actions as a judicial officer, especially in challenging situations.
Justice Olagunju allegedly used inappropriate language in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, contesting the Council’s decision and Policy Direction regarding the appointment of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.
The NJC has taken action by setting up four probe panels to investigate 27 high court judges who are facing allegations of misconduct.
During its 106th meeting chaired by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, the NJC reviewed a report from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee concerning 22 petitions filed against 27 Judicial Officers from the Federal and State High Courts.
The statement released by the NJC’s Director of Information, Soji Oye, mentioned that “Council at the meeting considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee on 22 petitions written against 27 judicial officers of the Federal and State High Courts and decided to empanel four committees to investigate allegations in the petitions that were found meritorious.”
On the other hand, 18 petitions were dismissed due to lack of merit, being abandoned, or being subjudice.
The dismissed petitions involve various judges including Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, Justice Williams Dawodu, and others from the Court of Appeal, as well as Justice John Tsoho and others from the Federal High Court. Justice Okon Abang was also included when he served at the Federal High Court.
Additional judges under scrutiny are Justice Kayode Agunloye from the FCT High Court, Justice Babagana Karumi from the High Court of Borno State, and several others from different high courts across the nation.