Ordering the Sale of Defendants Property Exparte: NJC Lifts Suspension of Justice Jane Inyang on Technical Grounds

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has reversed the one-year suspension without pay of Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, seven months after it was imposed.

Justice Inyang had been suspended for allegedly granting ex parte orders while presiding over a Federal High Court case in Uyo, which led to the sale of commercial assets belonging to Udeme Esset, former owner of Stratas Filling Station and director of Jopen Oil Filling Station in Akwa Ibom State. Esset had obtained a loan from Keystone Bank between 2002 and 2004 and was said to have defaulted on repayment.

The NJC initially found that Justice Inyang breached Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by issuing orders that allowed the sale of the defendant’s properties at an interlocutory stage of the case. Ex parte orders are generally granted to preserve the status quo pending the appearance of all parties.

In its recent resolution, the NJC noted that the complaint against Justice Inyang was filed beyond the six-month statutory period and that the matter was already under appeal. On these technical grounds, the council decided to lift the suspension and restore her full salary.