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NJC Suspends Rivers, Anambra Chief Judges For Misconduct

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1 month ago

Nov 15, 2024.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended G.C. Aguma, a judge of the Rivers State High Court, and A.O. Nwabunike, a judge of the Anambra State High Court, for alleged judicial misconduct.

In a statement released on Friday, the NJC announced that both judges are barred from judicial functions for one year without pay and will remain under watch for an additional two years.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the decision was made during the council’s 107th meeting, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, on November 13 and 14.

Justice Aguma was accused of aiding a litigant inappropriately transferring garnishee proceedings from Abuja to the Bori Division of the Rivers High Court.

The NJC found that Aguma acted with undue haste in granting an order absolute against judgment debtors despite being aware of a stay of execution granted by another court.

Suspends Chief Judges

Justice Nwabunike was found to have violated the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by misinterpreting legal definitions and issuing ex parte orders without following proper procedures.

Additionally, the NJC recommended the compulsory retirement of Chukwuemeka Chikeka, a judge in Imo State, effective October 27, 2021, and ordered him to refund excess salaries and allowances received since then.