Why NJC sacked two federal High Court judges

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has revealed why it sacked Justices Mohammed Yunusa  of the Federal High Court, Lagos State and Olamide Oloyede of Osun State High Court.

At the end of its 77th meeting held on Friday, July 15, the Council had suspended and recommended the two Judges to President Muhammadu Buhari for compulsory retirement.

In a statement issued on Sunday, July 17, by the acting Director of Information at the NJC, Mr. Soji Oye, said the action was taken against Justice Yunusa “pursuant to the ‘findings’ by the Council, following the allegations contained in the Petitions written against him by the Civil Society Network Against Corruption.”

The judge allegedly granted Interim Orders and Perpetual Injunctions, restraining the Attorney-General of the Federation, the Inspector General of Police, Independent Corruption practices and Related Offence Commission (ICPC) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) from arresting, investigating and prosecuting some persons accused of corruption in seven different cases.

The cases were  listed as “HC\L\CS\1471\2015:- between Simon John Adonimere & 3 Ors Vs. EFCC; FHC\L\CS\477\14:- FRN V Michael Adenuga;   FHC\L\CS\1342\15:- Senator Stella Odua Vs. AG Federation, EFCC, ICPC & IGP; FHC\L\CS\1285\15:- Jyde Adelakun & Anor Vs. Chairman EFCC & Anor; “ FHC\L\CS\1455\:- Dr Martins Oluwafemi Thomas Vs. EFCC; FHC\L\CS\1269\15:-Hon Shamsudeen Abogu Vs. EFCC & Ors; and FHC\L\CS\1012\15:- Hon. Etete Dauzia Loya Vs. EFCC.”

On the part of Justice Oloyede, the Council recommended her compulsory retirement from the Office to Osun State governor sequel to the ‘Findings’ of its Facts Finding Committee that: “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  members of the State House of Assembly and circulated same to 36 persons/organisations.”

The Council said the disciplinary action was enforced in accordance to the 1999 Constitution, stressing that the two judges have been suspended from Office, pending the approval of the recommendation for their compulsory retirement.