Breaking: NJC Suspends, Justice Aguma, Justice Nwabunike for One Year, Warns Kogi CJ another over Judicial Misconduct
At its 107th meeting held on November 13-14, 2024, the National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, sanctioned four judicial officers for various acts of misconduct. The disciplinary actions included suspensions, placement on a watch-list, and cautionary letters, underscoring the NJC’s commitment to accountability within the judiciary.
Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma (High Court, Rivers State)
Punishment: Suspended for one year without pay and placed on a two-year watch-list.
Findings:
Justice Aguma was found guilty of aiding a litigant in enforcing a judgment improperly. He facilitated garnishee proceedings in the Rivers State High Court for a judgment delivered in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Abuja, despite a stay of execution granted by another court. The NJC noted his unusual speed in granting an order absolute and failure to raise concerns about jurisdiction, suggesting undue interest in the case.
The Council’s findings revealed that Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma, committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State.
The Council finds that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his Court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja.
That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020.
The Council further finds that the speed with which the Hon. Justice Aguma took and granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgement debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention.
Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike (High Court, Anambra State)
Punishment: Suspended for one year without pay and placed on a two-year watch-list.
Findings:
Justice Nwabunike violated the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers (2016) by issuing ex parte orders without proper accompanying motions. He also disregarded the doctrine of stare decisis by misinterpreting legal definitions and abusing judicial authority, which tarnished the integrity of his office.
Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, the Council found him to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word “aspirant” and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons.
Hon. Justice I. A. Jamil (High Court, Kogi State)
Punishment: Issued a letter of caution.
Findings:
Justice Jamil was admonished for a lack of circumspection in handling sensitive legal matters. While his actions did not warrant suspension, the NJC deemed it necessary to warn him to exercise greater care and adhere to ethical standards in the future.
Hon. Justice J. J. Majebi (Chief Judge, Kogi State)
Punishment: Issued a letter of caution.
Findings:
Justice Majebi was cautioned for improperly assigning a sensitive case to a junior judge on the bench. The NJC emphasized the need for judicious case assignment to maintain public confidence in the judiciary.
