For issuing conflicting ex parte orders, three judges have been sanctioned.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has now barred the three Judges from promotion to the higher bench for a period ranging from two to five years whenever they are due.
This was part of the resolution taken by NJC at its two days meeting held on 14 and 15 December 2021.
The meeting which was chaired by the Deputy Chairman of NJC, Honourable Justice Mary Peter-Odili agreed with the recommendations of the investigation committee set up in September 2021, that Hon. Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the High Court of Rivers State be barred from elevation to higher bench for two years whenever he is due, as he failed to exercise due diligence in granting the ex parte order in suit no: PHC/2183/CS/2021 between IBEALWUCHI EARNEST ALEX & 4 ORS AND PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS & ANOR, as there was no real urgency, in the circumstances of the matter, that would have required an ex parte order.
Justice Gbasam was also issued with a warning letter to be circumspect in granting such ex parte orders in the future.
Similarly, the NJC equally resolved that Hon. Justice Nusirat I. Umar of the High Court of Kebbi State be barred from elevation to higher bench for two years whenever due, having found fundamental defects and non-compliance with the law in granting the ex parte order in suit no: KB/HC/M.71/2021 between YAHAYA USMAN & 2 ORS AND PRINCE UCHE SECONDUS & ANOR.
Also, Justice Umar was issued with a warning letter to be circumspect in granting such ex parte orders in the future.
Hon. Justice Edem Ita Kooffreh of the High Court of Cross River State will not be promoted to a higher Bench for five years for allowing himself to be used as a tool for “forum shopping” and abuse of Court process in suit no: HC/240/2021 between Mr ENANG KANUM WANI AND UCHE SECONDUS as it was evident that, in granting the ex parte order, he was seised of earlier orders of the High Courts of Rivers and Kebbi States, being courts of coordinate jurisdiction with his.
He is also to receive a warning letter to be circumspect in granting such ex parte orders in the future.
The Council also placed him on its watch-list for a period of two years.
A statement by Soji Oye Esq, Director Information NJC, on Thursday, said, even though there was no written petition, allegations of corruption or impropriety against the judges, Council nevertheless, initiated investigation pursuant to its inherent disciplinary powers under the Constitution to unravel the circumstances that led to the spate of exparte orders granted by these Courts of coordinate jurisdiction over matters bearing same parties and subject matter.
