NJC clears federal judge of misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed a petition by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) against Justice Taiwo O. Taiwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja.

The council held that the anti-graft agency’s letter, accusing the judge of wrongfully granting an ex parte application, was without merit. It advised the EFCC’s Acting Chairman, Ibrahim Magu, to file an appeal if dissatisfied with the decision.

The NJC, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Tanko Muhammad, is responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of judicial officers, among others.

The anti-corruption body had filed the petition on May 22, 2019 claiming that Justice Taiwo granted an ex parte order restraining it from performing its statutory functions.

But the council, in its response yesterday through the secretary, Ahmed Gambo Saleh, said it considered the commission’s claim and the judge’s response during an online meeting on April 22 and 23, 2020, and found no offence against the arbitrator.