The National Judicial Council (NJC) has issued a letter of advice to Justice O. M. Olagunju of the Oyo State High Court, cautioning her to exercise restraint and circumspection in her actions, even in challenging situations.
This follows her use of inappropriate language in a letter addressed to the Chief Justice of Nigeria, in which she contested the Council’s decision and policy direction regarding the appointment of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Oyo State.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, NJC Director of Information Soji Oye revealed that the Council has also established four investigation panels to probe 27 high court judges accused of judicial misconduct.
The panels were constituted during the NJC’s 106th meeting, presided over by outgoing Chief Justice of Nigeria Olukayode Ariwoola.
The meeting considered the report of the Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee on 22 petitions filed against 27 judicial officers from federal and state high courts.
The Council decided to investigate allegations deemed meritorious, while dismissing 18 petitions for lack of merit, abandonment, or being subjudice.
The dismissed petitions involved several judges, including the President of the Court of Appeal, Justice Monica Dongban-Mensem, and other justices from the Court of Appeal, Federal High Court, and various state high courts.”
