The National Judicial Council, NJC, has set up four panels to investigate 27 high court judges in the country for various allegations of judicial misconduct.
Justice O. M. Olagunju of Oyo State High Court received a letter of advice from the Council to exercise caution as a judicial officer, especially in challenging situations.
Allegedly, Justice Olagunju used inappropriate language in a letter to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, challenging the Council’s decision on the appointment of the President of the Court of the Customary Court of Appeal, Oyo State.
During its 106th meeting chaired by the outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN Olukayode Ariwoola, the NJC reviewed 22 petitions against 27 judicial officers of the Federal and State High Courts.
Based on the preliminary committee’s report, the Council established four committees to investigate substantiated claims in the petitions.
In a statement by the NJC Director of Information, Mr. Soji Oye, it was mentioned that 18 petitions were dismissed due to lack of merit, abandonment, or being subjudice.
Among the dismissed petitions were those against Justice Monica B. Dongban-Mensem, President of the Court of Appeal, and several other justices from different courts.
Additionally, five judges were placed on the NJC’s pre-sanction watchlist for poor performance and might face sanctions if their performance does not improve.
During the meeting, CJN Justice Ariwoola expressed gratitude for the cooperation received from Council members and the Secretariat, urging them to extend the same support to his successor.
Council members praised the outgoing CJN and wished him good health in retirement.