The President made the declaration on Tuesday at a Ramadan dinner with members of the Federal judiciary led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Olukayode Ariwoola. 

Reiterating the government’s resolve to defeat banditry, the President said those who resort to kidnapping children are cowards, incapable of confronting the might of the Nigerian Armed Forces.   

”We must treat kidnappers as terrorists. They are cowardly. They have been degraded. They look for soft targets. They go to schools and kidnap children, and cause disaffection. We must treat them equally as terrorists in order to get rid of them, and I promise you we will get rid of them,” the President said at the dinner attended by serving and retired judicial officers, including two former CJNs, Justice Mahmud Mohammed and Justice Walter Onnoghen. 

On the review of the salaries of judicial officers, the President pledged that his administration would continue to implement necessary reforms to improve the welfare and working conditions of judicial officers. 

”I recognize that the judiciary has one of the most unrewarded responsibilities. They are yet to modernize equipment and recordkeeping, and their progress towards improvement is slow. 

”When you look at the career path of a judicial officer, they cannot practice the vocation for which they were trained after retirement. 

”While the framers of the law may have their reasons, I perceive this differently and see this from a fair compensation angle that should benefit all,” the president stated. 

President Tinubu expressed gratitude to the judiciary for their dedicated service to the nation, acknowledging their role in upholding the respectability of the judicial arm of government.

“We will continue to support one another and bring Nigeria to that glorious dawn,” the president concluded.  

The Chief Justice of Nigeria commended the President for the honour of hosting judicial officers to a Ramadan dinner, his commitment to judicial reforms, and for improving the welfare of judicial officers in the country.

“May the Lord continue to bless you and your administration. Let your ship land and berth beautifully. We shall continue to pray for your administration because there are many good things in the pipeline for Nigerians,” he prayed.  

Justice Ariwoola commended the administration for achieving a significant milestone by appointing a full complement of 21 justices to the Supreme Court, a feat he described as unprecedented. 

Lateef Fagbemi, the Attorney-General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, expressed gratitude to the President for forwarding the executive bill titled, “Judicial Office Holders, Salaries and Allowances, etc, Bill 2024” to the National Assembly. 

Highlighting the stagnant state of judges’ salaries and emoluments since 2007, Fagbemi commended the President’s courage, determination, and compassion in taking decisive action.

”It takes a man with a great heart, determination, and consideration to do what the President did. More than 300.3 percent increase has been given to the judges. The President has done his own part, never mind that the bill is still with the National Assembly.

”In my short stay as the Attorney-General, I have come to observe that anything that concerns the judiciary, you are very much interested in it, and I thank you for your abiding interest in the judiciary,” the Minister of Justice said.

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He also explained how the judiciary frustrated attempts by politicians to scuttle the 2015 elections.

The jurist, who attained the mandatory retirement age of 70 on Thursday, spoke at the valedictory court session held in his honour at the Supreme Court in Abuja.

The ex-CJN said he had no apologies for the firm decisions the apex court took on cases it adjudicated on.

But the CJN commended the Supreme Court for refusing to be influenced or intimidated to give decisions in a particular manner.

He also said he worked to strengthen the integrity of the Nigerian judiciary and the need to protect it from “undue influence” was part of his key concerns.

Mohammed counted as one of his achievements in office, the stand which the judiciary under his watch took to avert attempts to scuttle the 2015 general elections.

He said, through the judiciary’s principled stand under his watch, he was able to avert the re-enactment of the June 12 electoral crisis which derailed the country’s struggle to return to democratic rule in 1993.

The then military government of Gen. Ibrahim Babangida, had annulled the 1993 presidential election believed to have been won by the late Chief M. K. O. Abiola, partly on the grounds that a court order had stopped the election.

Referencing the annulment as the “saga” in his speech on Thursday, the jurist who served as the CJN between November 20, 2014 and November 10, 2014, said the judiciary disallowed many “frivolous matters” that would have derailed the 2015 general elections.

The ex-CJN said, “Our nation owes the judiciary a debt of gratitude for standing firm in the face of contrary winds that threatened to blow our nation’s democracy off course.

“During the run up to the 2015 elections, our judicial officers withstood immense pressure in order to guarantee a level playing field and smooth transition of government, which ensured that we were spared a re-enactment of the June 12 saga.

“In fact, the courts, thus securing the electoral process, disallowed so many frivolous matters aimed at truncating the electoral process.”

The ex-CJN said, “I am proud to be a part of the Supreme Court which refused to be cowered into truncating the electoral process.”

Justice Mohammed, who praised God for sustaining him during his tenure as the CJN, acknowledged that the judiciary was currently facing challenges.

He called for a concerted efforts of members of the bar and bench to restore the dwindling reputation of the judicial system.

He urged his successor, Justice Walter Onnoghen not to relent in efforts at ridding the Judiciary of all ills.

A Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Thompson Okpoko, who spoke for the Body of SANs, argued that the judiciary brought the current woes on itself.

He noted that the authorities failed to act when signs of the current situation were rearing their heads many years ago.

“We, in the profession (both the Bar and the Bench), have kept a blind eye to our problems for far too long. We have looked on the other side when improprieties and disgraceful conduct are manifesting themselves right in front of us.

*We have been soft in matters that require stern handling. We have allowed rules to be twisted or bent because ‘it will adversely affect our people.’

“We have sacrificed merits on the altar of geographical spread when we know that no matter how much we spread, we cannot cover everyone and everywhere.

The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister for Justice, Abubakar Malami (SAN), who was represented by the Solicitor General of the Federation, Taiwo Abidogun, commended the retiring Justice Mohammed, for his impactful leadership of the Nigerian judiciary.

The President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), also said the recent happening in the judiciary should serve as an opportunity for self cleansing.

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The NJC, in a letter dated October 26, 2016, which it addressed to a human rights organisation, Socio-Economic Rights and Accountability Project, SERAP, also clarified that it does not also recover proceeds of corruption and had no power to dismiss erring judges.

The letter was the response of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who is the head of the NJC, to SERAP, which had requested that the NJC should forthwith hand over the seven judges recently arrested for alleged corruption to anti-graft agencies.

SERAP, in a statement on Tuesday, said the letter with reference number, CJN/Gen/MISC/A37/Vol.XXI/8, was signed on behalf of the CJN by his Senior Special Assistant, H. S. Sa’eed.

According to SERAP, the NJC said its duty stopped at making recommendations to the executive after looking into petitions against judges.

It stressed that it could not take responsibility for the failure of the President and governors to implement the NJC’s recommendations.

The CJN said “It is necessary to restate that the NJC is a creation of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) being established under Section 153 with its mandate clearly set out in Para 21, Part One of the Third Schedule to the Constitution.

“This provision clearly stipulates at Paragraph 21(b) and (d) that the council may only ‘recommend’ to the President and the governors, the removal from office of judicial officers and to exercise disciplinary control over such judicial officers, which, in effect, is the extent of its power to discipline. Hence, the council cannot, suo moto dismiss any judicial officer.

“The NJC can also neither ‘hand over’ corrupt judges to law enforcement agencies for prosecution nor recover proceeds of corruption, as you have suggested. It can merely recommend to act upon its findings, as it has always done.”

The NJC, however, restated his commitment to purging the judiciary of rot with the support of citizens by treating all petitions against judges appropriately.

It stated that to this end, it had enacted the Judicial Discipline Regulations, 2014.

The letter read partly, “However, in exercise of its constitutional mandate, the NJC has enacted the Judicial Discipline Regulations, 2014 in order to ensure that petitions are received, investigated and addressed as appropriate.

“As SERAP’s own report attests, 64 judicial officers have been disciplined within five years even preceding the institution of the new guidelines. Any failure on the part of the executive arm of government to act upon such recommendations cannot therefore be blamed upon the NJC.

“With due consideration to the contents of your letter, I am directed to acknowledge and address the concerns which SERAP have raised, which may reflect the wider opinion held by some Nigerians.

“While his Lordship, without doubt, appreciates SERAP’s concern for the incidence of corruption in the judiciary, it is indeed erroneous to conclude that the NJC has ‘felt satisfied with applying only civil sanctions and has not deemed it fit to hand over corrupt judges to law enforcement agencies for prosecution nor recover proceeds of corruption’, as insinuated in your letter under reference.”

“To be sure, every citizen of Nigeria, inclusive of judicial officers, are entitled to the protection of the law and a key provision of the Constitution is the presumption of innocence, as enshrined in Section 36(5) of the Constitution (as amended).

“I must also remind us that the seven judges, like all other persons, are entitled to a fair hearing as stipulated in Section 36 of the Constitution. As such, it would be presumptive and indeed preemptive to sanction the said judges without exhausting the proper procedure for their removal.”

The CJN expressed delight over SERAP’s concern and dedication to the course of justice, fairness and justness.

Justice Mohammed said with the support of all well-meaning Nigerians “giant strides would be made towards reaching the goal of a transparent, fair and equitable system of justice.”

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The council also launched a new judicial policy that bars the media from publishing allegations of misconduct against judges and other employees of the judiciary.

The new policy document states: “It shall be the policy of the Judiciary on complaints that allegations of misconduct against judicial officers or employees of the judiciary shall not be leaked or published in the media.”

Section 2.2.4 to Section 2.2.9 of the new National Judicial Policy reads: “Where complaints on allegations against judicial officers and court employees are submitted for investigation, the complainant or complainants shall be made to give an undertaking not to do anything to prejudice investigation or actions that may be taken.”

The committee, which is headed by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Idris Legbo Kutugi, also has the former Chairman of the Independent Corrupt Practices and other related offences Commission (ICPC), Justice Emmanuel Ayoola, as a member.

Other members of the committee include former President, Court of Appeal, Justice Umaru Abdullahi, President, National Industrial Court, Justice Babatunde Adejumo, Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory, Justice Ishaq Bello, President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), two retired Justices of the Supreme Court as well as a former President of the NBA, Chief Okey Wali (SAN).

At the inaugural ceremony held at the National Judicial Institute, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, tasked members to ensure continuous high standard of judicial accountability and probity.

The CJN, who expressed worry about complaints regarding the capacity of the nation’s judicial system to deliver justice, said the launched National Judicial Policy would provide principles that would ensure an efficient, effective and transparent judicial system.

“It is, indeed, a privilege to witness and celebrate the launch of the National Judicial Policy 2016, which will herald a steady transformation of the Nigerian Judiciary,” said Mohammed.

“This document is a meticulous, considered and well-drafted response to calls for the Judiciary to reform and harmonise its standards.

“I am therefore pleased to say, following great efforts by the Council, that this policy will indeed tick the right boxes, while launching this great institution, the Nigerian Judiciary, into a new level and trajectory that will signal the re-birth, re-invigoration and rededication to nobler values that distinguish us.”

The National Judicial Policy is borne out of the realisation that the “Nigerian Judiciary had been adversely affected by the absence of a clear, coordinated policy framework that defines its core morals, values, objects and aspirations.

“Such concerns have bordered upon the need to make qualitative and integrity-driven dispensation of justice, which is transparent, honest and trustworthy, the hallmark of our transformed Judiciary.

“We could not ignore the fact that, today, we are faced with misguided impressions as to the operations of our Judiciary, while its more laudable qualities and achievements are arcane to some fellow Nigerians.

“Thus, our resolve and commitment to a publicly accessible, value-and-integrity driven policy for our courts, caused some of the brightest minds in the Judiciary to be gathered together in order to create a clear and credible road map towards the transformation in the Judiciary that fellow citizens expect in Nigeria.

Certainly, the absence of a blueprint has resulted in a demand for the transformation of the Nigerian Judiciary into a modern judicial system.

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Justice Mohammed who spoke on Monday at the valedictory court session held in honour of a retiring Justice of the Supreme Court, Justice Suleiman Galadima, said that the National Judicial Court would meet on Tuesday to take a position on the incident.

Mohammed commended the Nigerian Bar Association for the step that it had so far taken on the matter.

“My lords, invited guests, ladies and gentlemen, not to detract from this occasion, it is indeed very saddening and deeply regrettable, the distressing and unfortunate incident which occurred on Friday, October 7 and Saturday, October 8, 2016.

“However, I must ask all Nigerians to remain calm and prayerful, as emergency meeting of the National Judicial Council, which will take place tomorrow (Tuesday), will comprehensively look into the matter.

“Furthermore, I must express my sincere appreciation to the executive of the Nigerian Bar Association ably led by the President, Abubakar Mahmoud (SAN), and indeed all members of the legal profession for their prompt action and continued support.”

The DSS had, in what it called a sting operation, arrested Sylvester Ngwuta and Inyang Okoro, both of the Supreme Court; the suspended Presiding Justice of the Court of Appeal, Ilorin Division, Justice Mohammed Tsamiya; Justice Kabiru Auta of the Kano State High Court and Justice Adeniyi Ademola of the Federal High Court, Abuja.

Other arrested were a former Chief Judge of Enugu State, Justice I. A. Umezulike, and Muazu Pindiga of the Federal High Court, Gombe Division.

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Delivering a speech at a special session to commence the 2016/2017 legal year, Mohammed said the apex court had entertained 1,489 matters this year alone.

He explained that the figure consists of 908 motions, 581 substantive appeals and 268 judgments.

“Indeed, during this period, we received about 10 new appeals per week, most of which were interlocutory in nature,” he said.

“Consequently, we have taken the historic step towards the expansion of the single track of justice delivery in the court by allowing for appeals to be mediated where the parties and issues permit.

“With these statistics given above, I dare to say that in the 2015/2016 legal year, our court confirmed its status as arguably the most overworked Supreme Court anywhere in the World.”

Mohammed, who is due to retire this year, said he would be leaving the court better than he met it.

“I am proud to say that by the will of Almighty, I am leaving the Supreme Court in a better shape than I met it,” he said.

“Indeed, in the past year, this court has witnessed numerous improvements both in terms of physical infrastructure and statutory functioning that will no doubt put us on the cusp of greater accomplishments.

“This legal year has certainly been an eventful one. We have rowed against the proverbial tides and withstood the blistering winds and gale forces.

“Indeed, we must appreciate and commend the efforts made by our justices, and all judicial officers and staff of the various strata of our judiciary towards enhancing the administration of justice.’’

He said the landmark achievements were recorded despite the various attacks and challenges to the independence of the judiciary.

Mohammed said the last legal year witnessed transition in the ranks of the justices of the court with the appointment of Amiru Sanusi, a justice, to join the ranks of the court.

“While we are waiting for the confirmation of the appointment of two justices of the court by the Senate, the NJC is expected to consider and recommend the appointment of two additional justices at its meeting on September 28,” he said.

“We also held valedictory sittings on the retirement of two of our brothers, in the persons of Justices Afolabi Fabiyi and Sailfullahi Muntaka-Coomasie into well deserved life of leisure and rest.

“I thank these tow distinguished jurists and gentlemen for their invaluable contributions to the jurisprudence of the court and rest assured, they are sorely missed by us all.”

On administration of justice, he said the judiciary needs to address the perennial issue of delays.

“While we all rush to rehash the age-old rhetoric that justice delayed is justice denied, the actions of our key stakeholders, particularly members of the bar have often proven to be far from the words,” he said.

“Although new laws and practice directions have been enacted with the aim of speeding up the administration of justice, incessant delays remain.

“Sadly, certain members of the bar are conspicuous in utilising unethical, frivolous applications and appeals, multiplicity of actions in courts of coordinate jurisdiction and other acts of calumny to frustrate the speedy dispensation of justice.”

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A statement signed by the NJC’s Acting Director of Information, Soji Oye, said the judges were found guilty of professional misconduct at the 77th meeting of the Council held on July 15.

Consequently, the NJC chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, has forwarded its recommendation to President Muhammadu Buhari and Governor Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State for approval.

According to Oye, the NJC had also in exercise of its disciplinary powers suspended the two Judges from office pending the approval of their compulsory retirement.

The statement said Justice Yunusa was suspended following allegations contained in a petition written against him by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption.

He was said to have granted interim orders and perpetual injunctions restraining the Attorney General of the Federation, Inspector General of Police, ICPC and the EFCC from arresting, investigating and prosecuting some persons accused of corruption.

Oye listed the cases as:FHC\L\CS\1471\2015 between Simon John Adonimere & 3 Ors Vs. EFCC and FHC\L\CS\477\14 FRN V Michael Adenuga.

Others were FHC\L\CS\1342\15 Sen. Stella Odua Vs. AG Federation, EFCC, ICPC & IGP and FHC\L\CS\1285\15:- Jyde Adelakun & Anor Vs. Chairman EFCC & Anor, FHC\L\CS\1455\:- Dr Martins Oluwafemi Thomas Vs. EFCC,

The others were FHC\L\CS\1269\15:- Hon Shamsudeen Abogu Vs. EFCC & Ors as well as FHC\L\CS\1012\15 Hon. Etete Dauzia Loya Vs. EFCC.

In particular, the NJC frowned at Yunusa’s assumption of jurisdiction in suit FHC\L\CS\1342\15 wherein the infringement of the applicant’s right occurred in Abuja contrary to Section 46 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

Oye also said Yunusa contravened Rule 3. 1 of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers in Suit FHC\L\CS\1445\15 by claiming ignorance of the provisions of the Money Laundering Act.

According to him, such an oversight led to the order stopping EFCC from investigating a money laundering case involving $2.2 million against the applicant.

The spokesman said Yunusa’s decision restraining the anti-graft agencies from carrying out their statutory functions in the first six cases mentioned earlier was contrary to the judgment of the Court of Appeal in A.G Anambra State Vs. UBA

Oye said, “Yunusa cited the case but did not apply it in his ruling.
“On the allegations against Oloyede by Osun Civil Societies Coalition, council also recommended her to Governor Rauf Aregbesola for compulsory retirement from office.

“The judge failed to conduct herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office and impartiality and independence of the judiciary.

“She derailed when she wrote a petition against the Osun State Governor and his Deputy to the Members of the State House of Assembly and circulated same to 36 persons and organisations,

“The petition was said to contain political statements, unsubstantiated allegations and accusations aimed at deriding, demeaning and undermining the Government of Osun State.

“This further put the character of the governor as one who is cruel, a liar and a traitor. The petition contained statements calculated to incite the residents of Osun State against the state government and its elected officers.

“Hon. Justice Oloyede crossed the fundamental right of freedom of speech and created a negative perception of the Nigerian Judiciary to the Public.”

The allegations against the Oloyede, according to Oye, constituted a misconduct contrary to Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.

Specifically, the Judge was said to have violated Rules 1 (1) and 5 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

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He gave this charge on Tuesday, at the opening of a one-day workshop organised by the Nigerian Bar Association, NBA, in collaboration with the Presidential Advisory Committee against Corruption, PACC at the Rockview Hotel, Abuja.

According to Magu, the EFCC cannot stamp out corruption in the country without the support of all stakeholders.

“We consider everybody a stakeholder, as the EFCC does not have monopoly of knowledge to defeat all shades of graft”, he said.

The anti-graft czar urged legal practitioners to always play by the rule and avoid being used by corrupt elements to pervert justice adding that, “what is important is the interest of the nation which should be placed above any other interest”

Magu, who commended the bar for being good partners in the fight against graft, however decried the attitudes of some lawyers who compromise on their jobs for criminals to escape justice. He added that lawyers have a greater stake in the war more than any other class of professional.

In reiterating his commitment towards fighting money laundering, the EFCC boss warned that, “we will not stop going after people who are involved in laundering money. It doesn’t matter who you are, the law is a respecter of nobody especially those who commit crime.

“Whether you are EFCC, SAN or whatever, sooner or later we will start going after people who buy properties with stolen funds as well as people who help others to escape justice”, Magu declared.

In his keynote address, the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed urged members of the bar to examine themselves with a view to develop workable ways to curb corruption.

Justice Mohammed who spoke through Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun charged them to look inward as individuals in the system, and collectively as a body to improve the legal system.

“You have a role to play as an individual and it is when we all change our attitude that we can see it reflected in the society. No doubt, the legal profession is crucial in the maintenance of a high quality of justice delivery within the justice system and such success or failure of our fight against corruption will depend on our willingness to take the right ethical path”, the CJN charged.

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The Minister made the remarks in Abuja on Saturday while declaring open a historical photographic exhibition with the theme “Political Development of Nigeria 1960-2016: The Change Mantra”.

“What we are showing you today is our own attempt to remind you about the greatness of this country; to remind you that this nation has produced world-class leaders before; that this nation has excelled in every field of human endeavour and the essence is to inspire all of us,” he said.

Alhaji Mohammed noted that through creative ideas, dedication and patriotism, the political leaders of the various defunct regions were able to harness agriculture to drive the development of the country.

“It was the strong personalities, the strong characters at the helm of affairs in each of the regions that made it possible for the groundnut pyramids of Kano and that made it possible for Cocoa House to be built from Cocoa.

“Free education was pioneered in the West via agriculture, coal was highly developed in the East, rubber and palm products you could find in the East. It was a tribute to the characters of these leaders,” he remarked.

The Minister, however, urged the nation not to lose hope as the country is now witnessing another round of committed, focused and patriotic leadership that will return Nigeria to its past glories.

He equally appealed to the people to change their perception of arts and creativity, which have huge potentials to become a viable economy that can create employment, especially in the rural areas where people are constrained by lack of education and finance.

“Unfortunately, the perception of arts and culture in Nigeria is very low and this we needed to change because any nation that forgets its history is bound to make little or no progress at all,” Alhaji Mohammed said.

The exhibition was attended by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, Minister of Science and Technology, Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu, Minister of State for Niger Delta, Claudius Daramola and members of the diplomatic corps.

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A third judge, who had since retired, was also indicted for age falsification by the Council headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Mahmud Mohammed.

While Justice O. Gbaja-Biamila of the Lagos State High Court was suspended for misconduct, Justice Idris M. J. Evuti of the Niger State High Court was sanctioned for age falsification.

For Justice Tanko Yusuf Usman, also of the Niger State High Court, who has since retired, the NJC urged the Niger State Government to deduct from his retirement benefits, salaries that accrued to him for the period he stayed longer in service for age falsification.

These decisions were contained in a statement issued on Tuesday by the spokesman of the NJC, Soji Oye.

The statement said the decisions were reached the meeting of the NJC held on April 13 and 14, 2016.

The statement by Oye reads in full:

Hon. Justice O. Gbaja-Biamila was recommended for compulsory retirement from Office to the Governor of Lagos State, pursuant to the Findings by the Council on the allegations contained in the Petitions written against His Lordship by Mr. C. A. Candide Johnson, SAN.

The allegations are:

That the Hon. Judge delivered judgment in Suit No ID\1279\2007 P. K. Ojo Vs SDV & SCOA Nigeria Plc, twenty months (22), after written addresses were adopted by all the Counsel and Thirty-five (35) months after the close of evidence in the Suit, contrary to the Constitutional Provisions that judgments should be delivered within a period of 90 days;

That His Lordship did not publish a copy of judgment he delivered on 24th December, 2013 until after 40 days, contrary to the provision of the Constitution which required that a copy of the Judgment of a Superior Court of Record be given to Parties in the case within 7 days of delivery.

That the Hon. Judge continued to hear the Suit in his Court after he had been notified of the pendency of a Motion for a Stay Of Execution at the Court of Appeal and that an appeal had been entered.

Prior to the issuance of the first writ of attachment, the Court Registrar under the direct administration of the Hon. Judge falsely misrepresented to the Deputy Sheriff in a memo dated 28th November, 2014, that there was no Appeal or Motion in the case file as at 28th November 2014. Meanwhile, there were two Notices of Appeal and two Summons to settle Records in the Court’s file.

That the Hon. Judge gave an Order on 23rd February, 2015 upon an Ex-parte application substituting the name of SDV Nigeria Ltd with Bollore Logistics Nigeria Ltd without serving the Order of substitution on the affected party or its legal representatives.

That the Hon. Judge failed to maintain Professional competence required to preserve the integrity of the Judiciary.

The above allegations constitute misconduct contrary to Section 292 (1) (b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and Rules 1.3, 3.3, 3.4 and 3.7 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

In the interim, the National Judicial Council in exercise of its power under Paragraph 21 Sub-Paragraph (d) of the Third Schedule of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, has suspended Hon. O. Gbaja-Biamila from Office with immediate effect.

Council also considered a petition written by Mohammed Idris Eggun against Hon. Justices Idris M. J. Evuti and Tanko Yusuf Usman of the High Court of Niger State on falsification of their dates of birth.

He alleged that Hon. Justice Idris M. J. Evuti falsified his age from 15th September, 1950 to 10th April, 1953 and Hon Justice Tanko Yusuf Usman falsified his age from 27th June, 1950 to 27th June, 1951.

A Fact Finding Committee set-up by the Council found from the records made available to it that the Hon. Justice Evuti used three different dates of birth over the years as 15th September, 1950, 10th April, 1953 and 1st April, 1953 and therefore recommended his compulsory retirement with immediate effect.

Apart from the recommendation for compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice Idris M. J.

Evuti, Council recommended to the Government of Niger State to deduct all salaries received by him from September, 2015 till date from his gratuity and remit same to the National Judicial Council that pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the Federation.

With respect to the Hon. Justice Tanko Yusuf Usman, Council did not recommend his compulsory retirement because it had already accepted his retirement with effect from 1st March, 2016. However, Council decided to write to the Government of Niger State, to deduct from the gratuity the salaries received by him from June 2015 when His Lordship should have retired from the Bench.

Council at the same Meeting exonerated Hon. Justice Saliu Saidu of the Federal High Court, Lagos of misconduct as it found unsubstantiated a Petition of alleged misconduct written against him by Securities and Exchange Commission. The Hon. Judge was alleged to have been biased in granting Ex-parte Orders of injunction against the Commission in Suit No FNC\L\CS\767\15: BGL Ltd and Ors V. Securities and Exchange Commission without due regard to the relevant factors and circumstances of the case.

The Counsel to the Securities and Exchange Commission Oluwaseun Olusiyi was also reported to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for walking out on the Judge on the matter when she was told the matter was not ripe for hearing for disciplinary action.

In the last two years, the National Judicial Council has been repositioned and some reforms which are ongoing have been introduced pursuant to the Provisions of Section 160 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, viz: Revised National Judicial Council Guidelines & Procedural Rules for Appointment of Judicial Officers of all Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria; Judicial Discipline Regulations; Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria; and National Judicial Policy

Given the far reaching amendments effected in the aforementioned documents and the laudable policies introduced in the National Judicial Policy which will impact on the general administration of justice, Council decided that it is imperative for the Honourable, The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of National Judicial Council to publicly launch them on a date to be announced.

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