National Judicial Council has dismissed 73 petitions against judicial officers across the country after finding them lacking in merit, incompetent or time-barred.
The Council considered reports from its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees involving 98 petitions filed against judges and judicial officers.
Out of the petitions reviewed, 68 were dismissed outright, four judges were cautioned, one judge received a final warning, while 11 cases were recommended for further investigation.
The Council also suspended proceedings in several matters on the grounds that the issues were already pending before courts.
In one of the strongest actions announced after the meeting, the NJC barred one Yusuf Isa from filing further petitions before the Council, describing him as a serial petitioner.
The Council also referred Mbadiwe Ossai to the Inspector-General of Police for investigation and possible prosecution over alleged perjury.
Four lawyers — Adeboye Williams Adewale Esq., Dr. Peter N. Ekemezie Esq., Dr. Martin Odika Esq., and Muhammad Hamza Ahmad-Gana Esq. — were referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over allegedly frivolous and unsubstantiated petitions against judicial officers.
Legal stakeholders say the decisions underscore the NJC’s determination to protect judicial officers from
harassment while still preserving disciplinary accountability mechanisms.
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