The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judges, including a Justice of the Court of Appeal, for one year without pay over acts of judicial misconduct. The decision was reached during the Council’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The NJC, in a statement released Wednesday night by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, revealed that Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, was found guilty of violating the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. The misconduct relates to her time as a judge of the Federal High Court in Uyo.
“Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have abused her office by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at the interlocutory stage of the case, while presiding over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023,” the NJC stated. The misconduct occurred before her elevation to the Court of Appeal.
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Also suspended was Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, who was penalized for delivering a ruling without hearing from the parties involved in a case. The NJC said his actions in Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021 contravened provisions of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“His Lordship ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the Court conducted in the absence of the parties and proceeded to dismiss the charge against the defendants. This violated Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the judicial code,” the Council noted. In addition to his suspension, Justice Ekwo has been placed on the NJC’s Watch List and barred from promotion for five years.
Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was similarly sanctioned with a one-year suspension without pay for related judicial misconduct.
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In a separate decision, the NJC directed Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma, to reverse the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge of the state. Citing Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the Council insisted that the most senior judge in the Imo State High Court must be appointed instead.
“The Constitution does not grant the governor the discretion to appoint any judge of his choosing in such cases,” the NJC emphasized.