NJC suspends three Judges, cautions eight others

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over alleged acts of misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial powers and disregard for due process.

The decisions were reached at the Council’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

Apart from the suspensions, the NJC cautioned eight other judicial officers, approved warning letters to three judges and placed six officers on its Watch List.

The Council also dismissed 24 petitions and recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments.

Three judicial officers suspended

The three officers suspended by the Council are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.

Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir

Justice Kabir was suspended for ordering the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience of a court order without commencing the required contempt proceedings or serving the mandatory Forms 48 and 49.

The NJC held that her action violated the litigant’s right to fair hearing.

In addition to the one-year suspension without pay, the judge was barred from being nominated for elevation for three years.

Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu

Grand Kadi Salihu was sanctioned over his involvement in reopening a judgment delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court.

According to the Council’s findings, he exceeded his judicial authority by setting up a committee to review the judgment and subsequently assigning the matter to another judge.

The judge reportedly received fresh evidence and delivered a new judgment in the matter.

The NJC held that the action amounted to an appeal against a valid judgment delivered by a court of competent jurisdiction, contrary to Rule 3.3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, 2016.

Justice Sobere Biambo

Justice Biambo of the Rivers State High Court was sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing fines of N300,000 each in a civil dispute without following the proper contempt proceedings or serving the prescribed forms.

Like Justice Kabir, he was suspended for one year without pay and barred from nomination for elevation for three years.

Other judicial officers sanctioned

The NJC also took disciplinary action against other judicial officers over separate complaints.

Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court received a warning letter and was placed on the Council’s Watch List for granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, despite an existing remand order.

Similarly, Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court was cautioned over his handling of post-judgment garnishee proceedings in a suit involving First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

The Council said the disciplinary measures reflect its commitment to maintaining discipline and accountability within the judiciary and restoring public confidence in the administration of justice.

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