NJC Suspends Three Judges for Misconduct in Nigeria

The National Judicial Council (NJC) suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay during its 112th meeting on November 3, 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.

They were found guilty of misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants and abuse of judicial authority. Justice Kabir ordered a litigant's detention for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings.

Grand Kadi Salihu improperly reopened a judgment from the FCT Upper Area Court, while Justice Biambo imposed fines on litigants without following due process. The NJC also cautioned eight other judges for various infractions, including Justice Kayode Agunloye for mishandling garnishee proceedings and Justice Bello Kawu for granting interim bail despite an existing remand order.