NJC Goes Tough Against Judicial Impunity, Suspends Three Officers – Full List
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay and issued warnings and cautions to several others following investigations into complaints about their handling of court cases.
The disciplinary decisions were taken at the Council’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
According to the NJC, the sanctions followed a review of investigation reports concerning allegations of judicial misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial authority and disregard for established legal procedures.
Three judicial officers suspended
The three officers suspended for one year without pay are:
Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir – Nasarawa State High Court.
Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu – Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal.
Justice Sobere Biambo – Rivers State High Court.
Justice Kabir was sanctioned for ordering the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience to a court order without following the required contempt proceedings or serving the mandatory Forms 48 and 49.
The Council also barred her from nomination for elevation for three years.
Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended for his involvement in reopening a judgment delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court. The investigation found that he exceeded his authority by setting up a committee to review the judgment and assigning the matter for a fresh hearing.
Justice Biambo was sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing fines of ₦300,000 each in a civil dispute without proper contempt proceedings and service of the prescribed forms. He was also barred from elevation for three years.
Other judicial officers cautioned or warned
The NJC also approved cautions or warning letters for other judicial officers over different procedural violations.
They include:
Justice Bello Kawu – FCT High Court, over granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order.
Justice Mohammed Zubairu – FCT High Court, for making orders after being informed that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal.
Justice Danjuma Oyigbenu – Nasarawa State High Court, over delivering judgment outside the constitutionally prescribed 90-day period.
Justice Isa Ebini Kana – Nasarawa State High Court, over the same delay in delivering judgment.
Justice C. A. Ogbuagor – Enugu State High Court, for continuing proceedings despite a pending appeal and an application for stay.
Justice Chibuike L. Azuama – Imo State High Court, over an ex parte garnishee order freezing the accounts of Puma Energy, which was not a party to the substantive suit.
Justice Kayode Agunloye – FCT High Court, over his handling of post-judgment garnishee proceedings involving First Bank of Nigeria.
The Council also directed that some officers be placed on its Watch List.
Other decisions
Beyond the disciplinary actions, the NJC considered 35 petitions from its preliminary complaints assessment committees. It dismissed 24 for lack of merit, recommended four for further investigation and placed one in abeyance because the matter was before a court.
The Council also recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments across several states, including Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa and Ogun.
The decisions form part of the NJC’s constitutional responsibility to oversee the conduct and discipline of judicial officers and protect public confidence in Nigeria’s justice system.