The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay after investigations linked them to misconduct, unlawful detention of litigants and violations of established judicial procedures. The disciplinary decision followed complaints about how the officers handled cases in their respective courts, raising fresh concerns about the exercise of judicial powers and the need to protect the rights of people seeking justice.
The Council reached the decision during its 112th meeting, held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. In addition to the suspensions, the NJC considered several petitions against judicial officers, approved other disciplinary measures and recommended candidates for appointments across different courts in the country.
Three Judicial Officers Face One-Year Suspension
The affected officers 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.
According to the Council’s findings, Justice Kabir ordered the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience of a court order without following the required contempt procedures. The investigation found that she failed to issue and serve the mandatory Forms 48 and 49, which notify an individual of alleged contempt and the consequences of failing to comply with a court order.
The committee also found that the alleged contempt occurred outside the judge’s presence, meaning she could not summarily punish the litigant without following the prescribed legal process. Consequently, the Council held that her actions violated the individual’s right to a fair hearing and approved a one-year suspension without pay. It also barred her from nomination for elevation for three years.
Similarly, Grand Kadi Salihu received a one-year suspension after the investigation examined his involvement in reopening a judgment delivered by an FCT Upper Area Court. The Council found that he exceeded his judicial authority by establishing a committee to review the earlier judgment and subsequently assigning the matter to another judge, who received fresh evidence and delivered a new decision.
The investigation described the process as an attempt to appeal against a valid judgment delivered by a court with the appropriate jurisdiction. The subsequent decision was also set aside by the Jigawa State High Court.
Meanwhile, Justice Biambo faced disciplinary action over his handling of a civil dispute involving allegations of disobedience of an interim injunction. The investigation found that he ordered the arrest of litigants and imposed fines of ₦300,000 on each person without initiating proper contempt proceedings or serving the required legal notices.
The NJC consequently approved his one-year suspension without pay and barred him from nomination for elevation for three years.
NJC Reviews Petitions and Issues Further Sanctions
Beyond the three suspensions, the Council considered other disciplinary matters involving judicial officers from different parts of the country. These included cases involving delays in delivering judgments, improper court orders and failures to follow established legal procedures.
The NJC approved caution and warning measures against other judicial officers, while three judges were also slated to receive formal warning letters. Among the officers mentioned in the disciplinary decisions was Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court, who received a caution over his decision to grant interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge.
The Council also examined 35 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees, which handle complaints before they proceed to further investigation. Following its review, the NJC dismissed 24 petitions for lacking merit, recommended four for further investigation and placed one on hold because the matter was already before a court.
Furthermore, the Council directed that investigations should continue into a petition against Justice G. N. Ugbala of the Ebonyi State High Court, despite the petitioner’s notice of withdrawal.
Council Recommends 28 Candidates for Judicial Appointments
Alongside the disciplinary decisions, the NJC recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments across several states. The recommendations include 24 candidates for High Court positions in Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun states.
The Council also recommended one candidate for appointment as Grand Kadi of the Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal and another as Kadi of the Adamawa State Sharia Court of Appeal. In addition, two candidates received recommendations for judicial positions at the Adamawa State Customary Court of Appeal.
These appointments form part of the Council’s responsibility to support the administration of justice by ensuring that qualified individuals occupy judicial positions.
The latest decisions highlight the NJC’s continuing role in monitoring judicial conduct and addressing complaints against serving officers. They also reinforce the importance of due process, fair hearings and respect for the limits of judicial authority.
As Nigeria’s courts continue to handle sensitive disputes involving individuals, businesses and government institutions, maintaining public confidence in the judiciary remains essential. The Council’s disciplinary measures therefore serve as a reminder that judicial officers must exercise their powers responsibly and remain accountable for their conduct.