NJC Stops Elevation Of Erring Judge Over Professional Misconduct

Posted by African Examiner Latest Headlines, News Wednesday, March 2nd, 2016

By Seun Adebosin

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has placed embargo on possible elevation to higher court, of a Lagos Federal High Court judge, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia over misconduct.

This is made public Wednesday in a statement issued by the Acting NJC Director, Mr. Soji Oye. The sanction according him, was due to the jurist’s wrongdoing during a pre-election matter.

As part of the conditions of her sanction, Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia who is expected to foreclose promotion to higher court in the rest of her career henceforth has been put under the NJC’s searchlight for the next four years.

The punishment against the Judge Mr. Oye informed was pronounced after the Council considered some petitions over alleged misconduct written against her. Also, he indicated that the decision on the sanctions was taken at the NJC’s meeting which held between February 24 and 25, 2016.

Specifically, Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia allegedly adjourned pre-Election matter severally, until the termination of the “life span of the Ogun State House of Assembly.‎”

In addition to the sanction, the NJC affirmed that the judge would not be considered ‎for any ad-hoc judicial appointment throughout her career on the bench.

“The National Judicial Council, Under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, at its Meeting which was held on the 24th and 25th February, 2016 decided to warn Hon. Justice Ruth Ofili-Ajumogobia and also put her on the ‘watch-list’ of the Council for the next four years” Mr. Oye restated in his statement.