Nigeria’s Judicial Council Suspends Justice Yunusa and Justice Oloyede

The National Judicial Council (NJC) on Sunday issued a statement announcing that it had suspended two judges – Justice Yunusa Mohammed of the Federal High Court in Enugu, and Justice Olamide Folahanmi Oloyede of the Osun State High Court.

The NJC similarly stated that it had recommended the compulsory retirement of Justice Yunusa and Justice Oloyede, to Nigeria’s President Muhammadu Buhari and Osun state Governor Rauf Aregbesola respectively.

The Punch reports that the clarification was contained in a statement signed by NJC acting director of information, Mr Soji Oye.

The statement disclosed that the Council took the decisions at its 77th meeting on Friday. It also put some clarification to reports in some section of the media (not olisa.tv) that the NJC had sacked the two judges.

The NJC noted in its statement that it took its decision concerning Justice Yunusa after investigating complaints about his decisions restraining law enforcement agencies from carrying out their constitutional duties with respect to some politicians including former aviation minister, Mrs Stella Oduah.

Justice Yunusa was said to have contravened the judgment of the Court of Appeal in A.G. Anambra State Vs. UBA which he quoted but did not apply in his rulings. He also violated Section 46 (1) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended) by assuming jurisdiction on Oduah’s case in Lagos, whereas the applicant complained of an alleged infringement of the applicant’s right which occurred in Abuja.

A portion of the statement read:

“Hon. Justice Mohammed Nasiru Yunusa was recommended for compulsory retirement from Office to President Muhammadu  Buhari, GCFR, pursuant to the ‘findings’ by the Council following the allegations contained in the petitions written against him by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption that His Lordship granted interim orders and perpetual injunctions, restraining the Attorney General of the Federation, the Inspector-General of Police, the Independent Corruption practices and related offences Commission and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission from arresting, investigating and prosecuting some persons accused of corruption in the following 7 cases”

On Justice Oloyede’s case, the NJC said her petition against Aregbesola was calculated to incite the people of the state against the government.

“The Hon. Judge failed to conduct herself in such a manner as to preserve the dignity of her office and impartiality and independence of the Judiciary when she wrote a petition against the Osun State Governor and his deputy to the members of the State House of Assembly and circulated same to 36 persons/organisations,” the statement added.

Aside his alleged involvement with the Oduah case, Justice Yunusa has been accused of receiving bribes from senior lawyers like Mr Ricky Tarfa (SAN) and Dr Joseph Nwobike (SAN) now both facing corruption trial.

OJPals, what do you think? Tell us in the comments!

@OJ’s Blog EXCLUSIVE

Email: olumidejohnson.blogs@gmail.com