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

The 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.

The Council also cautioned eight other judicial officers, approved warning letters to three judges, placed six officers on its Watch List, dismissed 24 petitions, and recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments.

THE THREE SUSPENDED JUDGES

1. Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir — Nasarawa State High Court

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

The NJC held that her action violated the litigant's right to fair hearing. She was also barred from nomination for elevation for three years.

2. Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu — Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal

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

The investigation found that he exceeded his authority by constituting a committee to review the judgment and subsequently assigning the matter to another judge, who received fresh evidence and delivered a new judgment.

The Council held that this amounted to an appeal against a valid judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, in violation of Rule 3.3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, 2016.

3. Justice Sobere Biambo — Rivers State High Court

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

He was also barred from nomination for elevation for three years.

OTHERS SANCTIONED

Among others, Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court was issued a warning letter and placed on the Watch List for granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, despite a subsisting remand order.

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

The NJC said the sanctions demonstrate its commitment to discipline, accountability, and restoring public confidence in the judiciary.