The Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman National Judicial Council,
Justice Mahmud Mohammed, says the council is investigating various complaints made against a number of judicial officers.
Some of the officials are those arrested few weeks ago by some security operations for allegation of corruption and misconduct.
A statement by the spokesman for the Chief Justice, said that as soon as such investigations were completed, appropriate recommendations would be made to the President or Governors who would have the final say on the affected judicial officers.
He further stated that the judges would be charged for the offences disclosed from the facts against them and be prosecuted if necessary.
The Chief Justice of Nigeria again condemned the sting operations carried out by the Department of State Services (DSS) on October 7 and October 8 against some judicial officers, saying it was a clear assault on the independence of the Nigerian Judiciary.
On the call by President of the Nigerian Bar Association, to suspend Judicial Officers whose residences were invaded and who were subsequently arrested and detained by the DSS, the Chief Justice said the call was unnecessary and hasty, as the said Judicial Officers were still being investigated by the DSS.
“The DSS is yet to forward any complaint or any official communication regarding the seven Judicial Officers to the National Judicial Council,” the statement read.
Justice Mohammed further said that some of the affected Judicial Officers had already been investigated by the NJC, which found some culpable and recommended their removal from office by dismissal or retirement to the President and respective Governors as provided under the Constitution.
On Friday, the NJC, in a statement dismissed the call by the NBA for the judges under investigation to proceed on compulsory leave until their innocence is fully and completely established or until the conclusion of all judicial or disciplinary proceedings.
The NJC said that it would be unlawful for it to yield to the call by the NBA, as “that position breaches the 2014 revised judicial discipline regulations formulated by NJC pursuant to section 160 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended”.
