NJC bars judges facing trial from performing judicial functions

THE National Judicial Council (NJC) has, again, directed judges currently facing trial over alleged corruption charges levelled against them by Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) to stop handling cases in their respective courts.

The council had, on June 1, directed some judges earlier recused from judicial duties, including Justice Adeniyi Ademola, who was discharged by a high court of the Federal Capital Territory, to resume.

Nigerian Tribune gathered on Monday that the fresh directive affected Justice H.A Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court and Justice Agbadu James Fishim of the National Industrial Court, who were among indicted judicial officers the NJC barred from performing judicial functions in November 2016, until the anticipated cases against them were concluded.

Following the directive to resume their duties, the EFCC filed charges against Justice Nganjiwa and Justice Fishim on June 7 and June 21 respectively.

A source informed the Nigeria Tribune that the latest directive by NJC might not be unconnected with the outrage their sitting over cases while their trials were ongoing might generate.

According to the source, the NJC, in view of their arraignment, had since requested the heads of the judges’ various courts to order the two judges to stop sitting in line with Council’s decision of November 1, 2016, since the EFCC had charged them to court.

The source added that the council had communicated its latest directive to the EFCC and other investigative agencies.