NJC Axes Adamawa Judge, Probes 25 Others

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The National Judicial Council (NJC) has slammed Justice Michael Goji of the High Court of Adamawa State with compulsory retirement for rejecting transfer to the Mubi Judicial Division of the State High Court since July, 2017.

Accordingly. the Council has recommended to the Adamawa State Governor, Bindo Umaru Jibrilla that Justice Goji be compulsorily axed from service in line with the State Judicial Service Commission’s advice to the NJC.

In a statement by its spokesperson, Soji Oye, on Thursday, the NJC said arising from complaints by the Adamawa State Chief Judge over the retired judge’s misconduct, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Walter Onnoghen, constituted a committee to investigate the judge.

Oye stated that besides his retirement, the NJC directed Judge Goji to refund all salaries he received from July, 2017 till date, failing which the Adamawa State Government shall deduct the amount from any entitlement due to him and remit same to the NJC, which pays salaries of all Judicial Officers in the country.

Other issues deliberated at the Council’s 86th meeting held between May 8 and 9, 2018 include the reports of various Investigation Committees and dismissal of petitions written against Justices Paul Adamu Galinje of the Supreme Court, Aminu Sabo Ringim, Chief Judge, Jigawa State, and Justice Peter Umeadi, Chief Judge, Enugu State.

It said the petition against Justice Paul Galinje was dismissed sequel to its withdrawal by Hon Yaro Abarshi and Hon. John Yobi Yarafa and others, who alleged that he interfered in a Chieftaincy matter in Taraba State.

The petition against Justice Aminu Sabo Ringim was also dismissed because the petitioner, Dr Jamil Gwamna withdrew it, adding that the allegation was that the Judge ordered the arrest, assault, and detention of staff of Kano Electricity Distribution Company (KEDCO) when they disconnected the electricity at the State High Court and the Judge’s house for non-payment of bills.

It also said the Committee that investigated the matter discovered the petitioner failed to show or prove that Justice Ringim instructed or directed the arrest of KEDCO’s staff.

Oye said petitions written against 25 Judicial Officers and others by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) were also considered by Council after which it resolved to empanel seven Committees to look into the allegations.

The statement further explained that the NJC dismissed petitions against Justices Anwuli I. Chikere and John Tsoho, Emeka Nwite and Nnamdi Dimgba of the Federal High Court, Justice Adetokunbo Banjoko of FCT High Court. Justice Taminu Zailani, Chief Judge, Kaduna, Justice M. A. Adeigbe, High Court, Osun State (who had already retired from the Bench), and Justice E. N. Ogbuiji, High Court, Rivers State for lack of establishment of misconduct, being subjudice or that such petitions were matters for appeal.

Similarly, the Council also recommended 21 Judges for appointment as Chief Judges, Grand Kadi, High Court Judges, Sharia Court Kadis, President, Customary Court of Appeal, and one member of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Oye stated that the NJC also received the Report of the Performance Evaluation Committee of Judicial Officers of Superior Courts of Record in the Federation on 16 Judges invited by the Committee to explain their low performance in the last two to four quarters in the year 2017.

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