Fiery rights and good governance advocate, Prof. Chidi Odinkalu has berated the National judicial Council (NJC) for not taking harsher disciplinary measures against judges found to have compromised their judicial oaths.

In a series of tweets seen by CITY LAWYER, the former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) stated that instead of praise, the disciplinary measures handed down by the NJC against the erring judicial officers “are evidence of the deep malaise that currently afflicts the #NigerianJudiciary.”

His words: “Jane Inyang became Justice of @CourtOfAppealNG in Sept 2023, less than 2 yrs ago. Yesterday, @njcNig suspended her for just 1 yr for egregious acts of judicial corruption while she sat in @FederalHigh. How can she still be a judge?!

“This was part of the last minute elevations masterminded by the baleful Olukakayode Ariwoola was he made his way out of office as the Chief Justice of Nigeria, #CJN, in Aug 2024.

“The only miracle in the case of Inyang Ekwo is how he has remained on the bench until now. He’s bn one of the more predictable judges in @FederalHigh. For the past year, he has bn under caution by @njcNig. Now, he has bn suspended for delivering judgment without hearing parties!

“Many will see these dispositions by @njcNig as progress; May be. But, these dispositions are evidence of the deep malaise that currently afflicts the #NigerianJudiciary.

“1st, if a person is as crooked as Jane Inyang or as Inyang Ekwo, how can that person be a judge to begin with?

“2nd, if a judge can behave with such manifest impunity & disregard for the basic rules of judicial comportment as these 2 & still remain a judge – that’s what suspension for 1 year means – what wld it take for a judge to be relieved of their position? May be commit murder….?

“3rd, how did Jane Inyang manage to make it to @CourtOfAppealNG while the complaint about her conduct was still pending? @njcNig says it has suspended her from elevation for 5 yrs. U know what that means? She can still get to
@SupremeCourtNg. U see the mess we are in?

“In plain language, the @njcNig is now deeply complicit in judicial corruption. It is handing out these irresponsible slaps on the wrist with utter disregard for their effect on judicial integrity or the damage that these entrench in the judiciary. This rot is deeply criminal.

“The conclusion is inescapable that @njcNig as currently constituted is part of the problem not part of the solution. What it has done in these cases is just not good enough. If it is not willing to root out judicial crookedness, then it should be rooted out.

“If you read this, just ask @njcNig one question: if a judge is suspended for one year without pay, what is the person doing coming back to be a judge? If anything, the person is more likely to come back more hungry & more corrupt. No?”

Below are some of the comments by netizens:

Just Start @spinning_lizzy These guys are NOT serious about confronting corruption headlong! They are in fact part of the problem! A mere slap on the wrist isn’t enough for the judges found wanting. They shld be pushed out completely from the system. Corruption has a way of fighting back in Nigeria.

K. IWUCHUKWU @kiwuchukwu The judiciary’s politicization & hijacking pose significant risks to Nigeria’s democracy. The National Judicial Council (NJC) must take swift action to restore integrity. Judiciary no longer last hope Let’s support the NJC in its efforts to uphold justice and safeguard democracy.

Iyke Any @AnyIyke “In plain language, the @njcNig is now deeply complicit in judicial corruption.”

Who should we now look up to to salvage the judiciary? Just like the other two arms of government, where impunity reigns, what is now the hope of the common man? When the judiciary is now toothless

SupremeClerk @SirOdigie This is why public trust in the judiciary keeps eroding. Corruption shouldn’t get a sabbatical. It should get a dismissal. #JusticeIsNotABribe #ReformTheBench