NJC recommends dismissal of justices Ononogbo, Gummi
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the dismissal of Justice Ugbo Ononogbo of the Abia State High Court of Justice.
This is contained in a statement signed by Acting Director of Information of the council, Mr Soji Oye, and made available to newsmen on Friday in Abuja.
Oye said the council also recommended the compulsory retirement from office of Justice Nasir Gummi of Zamfara State High Court of Justice with immediate effect.
He said the decision was taken at the council’s 80th meeting held on Dec. 14 and Dec.16.
He said Ononogbo was recommended for dismissal to the Governor of Abia State, pursuant to findings on a petition brought against him by Mr Urum UdensiIfegwu.
Oye said the Judge in Suit No: HOH/25/2013, Mrs Nnenna Enweliku and 4 Ors Vs Udensi Dike Udensi and 2 Ors made a blanket Order for the payment of the unascertained amount as Estate fee.
According to Oye, the fee which is from the Access Bank Account of late Lord Chief Dike UdensiIfegwu went to the Probate Registrar of the High Court.
He said the council found that the Assistant Chief Registrar, Probate Division of the Court, Mr Udeka U. C. altered the Order of the Judge in a letter to Access Bank on the transaction.
Oye said the letter was requesting the bank to release the sum of N200 million into the personal account of E. M. Ojiako, Esq, counsel to the Applicant in the Suit.
The Acting Information Director, however, said the bank refused to honour the request.
He said the Judge committed more error by also granting a second order to vacate the first order.
Oye said the latest order had directed the bank to pay any money assessed by the Probate Registrar for the estate fee of late UdensiIfegwu into the personal account of Ojiako.
“The allegations against Justices Ononogbo of Abia State and Gunmi of Zamfara State High Court constitute misconduct contrary to Sections 294 (1) and (6) of the 1999 Constitution.
“They also violated Rules 3 (i), 11(ii) and 2 of the National Judicial Council Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
“Meanwhile, the NJC in the exercise of its disciplinary powers has suspended Justices Ononogbo and Gunmi with immediate effect pending the approval of the recommendations of the Council for their dismissal and compulsory retirement respectively,’’ Oye said.
(NAN)
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