Reasons Why NJC Sacked Judges

The National Judicial Council, NJC, suspended and recommended two Judges for compulsory retirement at the end of its 77th meeting held on July 15 2016.

Reasons emerged on why the National Judicial Council, NJC, sacked Justices Mohammed Yunusa  of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court and Olamide Oloyede of Osun State High Court.

A statement, by the acting Director of Information at the NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, yesterday, said the Council recommended Justice  Yunusa   for compulsory retirement to President Muhammadu   Buhari, “pursuant to the ‘findings’ by the Council, following the allegations contained in the Petitions written against him by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption.”

He was alleged to have granted Interim Orders and Perpetual Injunctions, restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, Independent Corruption practices and Related Offence Commission, ICPC, and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, from arresting, investigating and prosecuting some persons accused of corruption in seven  different cases.

The cases were  listed as “HC\L\CS\1471\2015:- between Simon John Adonimere & 3 Ors Vs. EFCC; FHC\L\CS\477\14:- FRN V Michael Adenuga;   FHC\L\CS\1342\15:- Senator Stella Odua Vs. AG Federation, EFCC, ICPC & IGP; FHC\L\CS\1285\15:- Jyde Adelakun & Anor Vs. Chairman EFCC & Anor; “ FHC\L\CS\1455\:- Dr Martins Oluwafemi Thomas Vs. EFCC; FHC\L\CS\1269\15:-Hon Shamsudeen Abogu Vs. EFCC & Ors; and FHC\L\CS\1012\15:- Hon. Etete Dauzia Loya Vs. EFCC.”

On the allegations levelled against Hon. Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede of High Court of Justice, Osun State, by Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Council also recommended her for compulsory retirement from Office to Osun State governor sequel to the ‘Findings’ of its Facts Finding Committee that: “The Hon. Judge failed to conduct herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office and impartiality and independence of the Judiciary when she wrote a petition against the Osun State governor and his deputy to  members of the State House of Assembly and circulated same to 36 persons/organisations.”

NJC said it has in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution, suspended Justices Yunusa and Oloyede from Office, pending the approval of the recommendation for their compulsory retirement.