APC National Vice Chairman (South-East) commends CJN Kekere-Ekun for enforcing judicial accountability; demands investigation into controversial judgment nullifying Governor Hope Uzodimma’s APC nomination
Dr. Ijeomah Arodiogbu, National Vice Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), South-East, has commended the National Judicial Council (NJC) for its disciplinary actions against judicial officers over various acts of misconduct, abuse of judicial powers, disregard for due process and violations of constitutional provisions.
Arodiogbu described the Council’s decisions as an important step towards strengthening judicial accountability, protecting the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and restoring public confidence in the administration of justice.
He particularly applauded the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, and members of the NJC for demonstrating that judicial independence must go hand in hand with discipline, integrity, professionalism and accountability.
The APC chieftain said the recent disciplinary measures should serve as a warning that judicial office is a position of public trust and that no judicial officer should consider himself or herself above the Constitution.
Arodiogbu welcomed the NJC’s decision to suspend three judicial officers for one year without pay over established misconduct.
The affected officers are:
1. Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir – Nasarawa State High Court
Suspended for unlawfully ordering the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience of a court order without following the mandatory contempt proceedings and constitutional safeguards.
2. Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu – Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal
Suspended for exceeding his judicial authority by reopening and reviewing a judgment delivered by an FCT Upper Area Court through a committee and subsequently assigning the matter to another judge for fresh proceedings.
3. Justice Sobere Biambo – Rivers State High Court
Suspended for issuing bench warrants and ordering the arrest of litigants in a civil dispute over alleged disobedience of an interim injunction, subsequently imposing fines of ₦300,000 on each without following the prescribed contempt proceedings.
Two of the suspended judicial officers were also barred from nomination for elevation for three years.
The NJC also directed that warning letters be issued to the following judicial officers:
- Justice Danjuma A. Oyigbenu – Nasarawa State High Court
- Justice Isa Ebini Kana – Nasarawa State High Court
Both judges were issued warning letters for delivering judgment in an appeal outside the constitutionally prescribed 90-day period, contrary to Section 294 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.
3. Justice Bello Kawu – FCT High Court
The NJC found fault with his decision to grant interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge of the same court. The Council directed that he be issued a warning letter and placed on its Watch List.
The NJC also cautioned other judicial officers over their handling of cases:
- Justice Mohammed Zubairu – FCT High Court: For entertaining an application and making orders after being informed that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal.
- Justice C. A. Ogbuagor – Enugu State High Court: For continuing proceedings despite a pending appeal and an application for stay of proceedings, thereby disregarding due process and the hierarchy of courts.
Arodiogbu further called on the National Judicial Council to investigate Justice Obiora Egwuatu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, over his judgment nullifying Governor Hope Uzodimma’s nomination as the APC candidate for the 2027 Imo West Senatorial election and directing recognition of former Governor Rochas Okorocha where as the case was filed outside the 14 days constitutionally provide time to seek redress.
Arodiogbu expressed concern over what he considers serious constitutional and jurisdictional questions arising from the judgment, particularly the extent of the Federal High Court’s jurisdiction over the internal affairs of a political party and the constitutional timelines governing pre-election disputes.
According to him, the judiciary must not only dispense justice but must also ensure that its decisions are firmly rooted in the Constitution and established legal principles.
He maintained that where serious questions are raised concerning jurisdiction, the interpretation of constitutional timelines and the handling of pre-election disputes, the appropriate judicial and constitutional institutions must be allowed to examine those issues.
Arodiogbu therefore urged the NJC to investigate the circumstances surrounding the judgment delivered by Justice Egwuatu and determine whether any aspect of judicial misconduct or breach of professional standards occurred.
He emphasised that his call for investigation should not be misconstrued as an attempt to intimidate the judiciary or interfere with the appellate process, but rather as a demand for accountability and the preservation of public confidence in the judicial institution.
He also expressed confidence that the appellate courts would have the opportunity to examine the legal issues raised in the Imo West matter and determine the correct constitutional position.
