A former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof Chidi Odinkalu on Thursday reacted to the disciplinary measures taken against three Federal judges, including a Justice of the Court of Appeal, by the National Judicial Council (NJC), calling the measure an “irresponsible slap in the wrist”, which makes NJC “complicit in judicial corruption” bedevilling the country.
The NJC on Wednesday announced one year suspension each for Justice Jane Inyang, a justice of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, Justice Inyang Ekwo, a Federal High Court judge Abuja Division, and Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division. The body also placed them on different years of watch list ranging from three to five years during which they will not be promoted.
Prof Odinkalu, a prominent human rights activist, has over the years been in the forefront of criticism on judicial corruption, particularly the skewed appointment of judges in the country.
Reacting to the 108th meeting of the NJC which ended on Wednesday, where the three judges were suspended, Prof Odinkalu in several tweets said:
“Jane Inyang became Justice of Court of Appeal in Sept 2023, less than two years ago. Yesterday, NJC suspended her for just one year for egregious acts of judicial corruption while she sat in Federal High Court How can she still be a judge;
This was part of the last minute elevations masterminded by the baleful Olukakayode Ariwoola as he made his way out of office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN in August 2024;
The only miracle in the case of Inyang Ekwo is how he has remained on the bench until now. He’s been one of the more predictable judges at the Federal High Court. For the past year, he has been under caution by the NJC. Now, he has been suspended for delivering judgment without hearing parties!;
Many will see these dispositions by NJC as progress; May be. But, these dispositions are evidence of the deep malaise that currently afflicts the Nigerian Judiciary. Firstly, if a person is as crooked as Jane Inyang or as Inyang Ekwo, how can that person be a judge to begin with?;
Secondly, if a judge can behave with such manifest impunity and disregard for the basic rules of judicial comportment as these two and still remain a judge – that’s what suspension for one year means; what would it take for a judge to be relieved of their position? May be commit murder….?;
Thirdly, how did Jane Inyang manage to make it to Court of Appeal while the complaint about her conduct was still pending? NJC says it has suspended her from elevation for five years. You know what that means? She can still get to Supreme Court. You see the mess we are in?;
In plain language, the NJC is now deeply complicit in judicial corruption. It is handing out these irresponsible slaps on the wrist with utter disregard for their effect on judicial integrity or the damage that these entrench in the judiciary. This rot is deeply criminal;
The conclusion is inescapable that NJC as currently constituted is part of the problem not part of the solution. What it has done in these cases is just not good enough. If it is not willing to root out judicial crookedness, then it should be rooted out;
If you read this, just ask NJC one question: if a judge is suspended for one year without pay, what is the person doing coming back to be a judge? If anything, the person is more likely to come back more hungry and more corrupt”.
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