The Human and Environmental Development Agenda (HEDA Resource Centre) has lauded the National Judicial Council (NJC) for its recent decision to bar three judges from promotion due to judicial misconduct.
In an official statement signed by its Chairman, Olanrewaju Suraju, the civil society organisation emphasized the importance of maintaining a corruption-free judiciary, underscoring its significance for a just society, human rights guarantee, corruption and conflict free society, and the public’s trust in the justice system.
According to The Sun Newspaper, while 86 judicial officers were slated for promotion, the NJC decided to withhold the elevation of Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Abuja Division of the Federal High Court and Justice G.B. Brikins-Okolesi of the Delta State High Court.
“We commend the NJC, under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, for these resolutions at the plenary session. Their decision to issue warning letters and bar these judges from promotion reflects public expectations of upholding ethical standards and professionalism integrity within the judiciary.” Suraju stated.
Justice Ekwo received a warning for abusing his discretionary powers by wrongly granting an ex parte order in the case of Juliet Ebere Nwadi Gbaka & 2 Ors v. Seplat Energy Plc & 12 Ors. Consequently, he is barred from promotion to a higher bench for two years.
Similarly, Justice Brikins-Okolesi was reprimanded for failing to deliver a judgment within the stipulated period in the case of Joseph Anene Okafor v. Skye Bank, despite the parties having filed and adopted their final written addresses. He will not be eligible for elevation for three years.
The NJC also cautioned Justice Amina Shehu of Yobe State High Court for issuing Writ of Possession Conferring Title on the Defendant in a suit when there was no subsisting judgement of any Court to enable His Lordship issue the Writ.
HEDA stressed that sustaining these efforts is crucial for ensuring a professional and ethical judiciary in Nigeria, which ultimately benefits society and reinforces good governance and sustainable development.
