The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay and sanctioned eight others over 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 on November 3, 2026, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

It also approved warning letters for three judges following investigations into petitions against them.

The suspended 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.

The Council also reviewed 35 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees.

It dismissed 24 for lack of merit, recommended four for further investigation and deferred one because it was sub judice.

It further directed that investigations into a petition against Justice G. N. Ugbala of the Ebonyi State High Court should continue despite the petitioner’s notice of withdrawal.

By Gloria Wodi