NJC suspends two Judges over misconduct

Details

Written by Abdullateef Abubakar Jos

This is contained in a statement signed by the NJC's acting Director of Information, Mr Soji Oye.

The statement said the decision was taken at the council’s emergency meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria

(CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar.

According to the statement: ``Hon. Justice Archibong was recommended for compulsory retirement to President Goodluck

Ebele Jonathan, pursuant to the findings by the council on the following complaints levelled against him.

``That the judge dismissed the grievous charges against an accused without taking his plea.

``That he refused to release the Certified True Copy of his ruling to the lawyers.

``That the judge issued a bench warrant on some officials of Peoples Democratic Party for contempt even when the counsel

who was directed by the court to serve them an affidavit had not been able to serve the contempt application.

``That he made unfounded and caustic remarks on professional competence of some Senior Advocates of Nigeria.

 On Naron, the statement said there were constant and regular voice calls and exchange of mms and sms (text) messages

between the judge and one of the lead counsel.

`` (The communication was) for one of the parties to the suit in the Osun State Gubernatorial Election Tribunal.’’

The statement added that his action was contrary to the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers vide Section 292 (1) (b) of the

1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended.

``The National Judicial Council has in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution suspended the two

judges from office with immediate effect.

Meanwhile, the NJC has set up a committee to investigate allegations against Justice Abubakar Talba of FCT High Court in

the Police pension case of EFCC vs Mr John Yusuf.

Talba had on Jan. 28 sentenced Assistant Director, Police Pension Board, John Yusuf, to two years' imprisonment for his role

in the theft of N20 billion of pension funds.

In his judgment, Talba ordered Yusuf to forfeit the sum of N325 million to the Federal Government.