The National Judicial Council (NJC) has sanctioned Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia of the Lagos Division of the Federal High Court and barred her from further promotion till she retires from the bench over misconduct and alleged injustice.
This is contained in a Wednesday statement signed by the NJC’s Acting Director of Information, Soji Oye.
According to the statement, the judge has also been placed on the council’s watch-list for the next four years.
The NJC is the body responsible for the appointment, promotion and discipline of judges in the country, and is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria.
The decision was taken by the CJN, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, after careful consideration of petitions against the judge, the statement said.
The decision was taken at a council meeting that held on February 24 and 25, 2016, the statement added.
“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.
“The honourable judge will also not be considered for any elevation to the Court of Appeal or any ad-hoc judicial appointment till her retirement from the bench,” the statement read in part.
The statement further read: “The decision was sequel to the petition written against her by one Victoria Ayeni alleging misconduct and injustice on the part of Hon. Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia for failing to deliver judgment in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/31/2011, a pre-election matter between Victoria A. A. Ayeni and Olusola Sonuga and 2 ors.
“She was also alleged to have adjourned the pre-Election matter severally until the termination of the life span of the Ogun State House of Assembly.”
The decision is with immediate effect, the statement noted.