NJC Suspends Three Judges for Misconduct in 2026

The National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended three judges for one year without pay and cautioned eight others for various acts of misconduct during its 112th meeting on November 3, 2026, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The suspended judges are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.

Justice Kabir was suspended for unlawfully detaining a litigant for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings, violating the right to fair hearing. Salihu was suspended for exceeding authority by reopening a judgment from the FCT Upper Area Court, which was deemed an appeal against a valid judgment.

Justice Biambo was suspended for issuing bench warrants and imposing fines without due process. Additionally, two of the suspended judges were barred from elevation for three years, and three others received warning letters regarding their handling of court cases.