The National Judicial Council (NJC) Director of Information, Soji Oye, revealed that NJC has recommended the compulsory retirement of two judges to the Abia State Governor, Mr Okezie Ikpeazu.

Those recommended by the judicial body are the Chief Judge of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, and Justice Obisike Oji of the Abia State High Court.

Soji explained that, the decision was reached on Wednesday at the 85th meeting of the Council in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

The Council explained that Ms Uzokwe’s was put forward for dismissal following the recommendation of two panels that investigated the allegations against her.

It also warned Justice Olusola Williams of the Lagos State High Court for “grave errors of judgment”, and Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo of the FCT High Court for “impropriety”.

Hon. Mr Justice Obisike Oji was earlier queried by the Council for allowing himself to be sworn-in as acting Chief Judge, and thereby colluding in, and aiding an unconstitutional process. His reply was unsatisfactory, and the Council recommended his compulsory retirement.

The NJC reprimanded, seriously warned and placed on the Watch List Hon Justice S. E. Aladetoyinbo of the FCT High Court for impropriety in a case between U.L.O. Consultants Ltd v BIL Construction Nigeria Ltd, sequel to a petition by one Uche Luke Okpuno. Council would have sanctioned the Judge more severely but had to take into account the fact that aspects of the case are appealable.

Council also seriously warned Hon Justice Olusola Ajibike Williams of the Lagos State High Court for grave errors of judgment in her level of involvement in a family business. Council found that the Judge, as a judicial officer, should have been more circumspect and conscious of her office. Council’s sanction was as a result of a petition by Chief Ladi Rotimi-Williams, SAN.

Council at the Meeting also considered various petitions written against thirty-one (31) Judicial Officers and resolved to empanel three (3) Investigative Committees against one Justice of Supreme Court and two (2) State Chief Judges.

Petitions against various Justices were dismissed either for lack of merit, lack of evidence of misconduct, being sub judice or that the subjects of such petitions were matters for appeal.

Council decided to refer a petition by Prince Adesina Okuneye against Hon. Mr. Justice Mwada Balami of the FCT High Court to the Police to investigate the allegation of N5, 000,000 (Five Million Naira) bribe to the Judge for granting bail to an accused person. Council decided that the petition should be put in abeyance until the outcome of the investigation by the Police.

Council at the Meeting also recommended sixty (60) Judicial Officers to Governors of twenty-four (24) for appointment as High Court Judges, Sharia Court Kadis and Customary Court of Appeal Judges.