The Immediate past Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court, Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, was yesterday found guilty of “gross misconduct” by the National Judicial Council (NJC).
The NJC warned another judge of the Federal High Court for engaging in wrongful conduct.
The council, rising from its 63rd meeting, found out that Justice Gummi breached professional ethics when he interfered in a judgment given against Zamfara State Governor Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, who is a former federal lawmaker.
NJC described Gummi’s action as “most unethical and highly reprehensible”.
The council said it would have recommended his sack, but for the fact that he had voluntarily retired from office before now.
Justice Gummi left to become the emir of Gummi, Zamfara State.
The NJC, in a statement after its meeting held between Wednesday and yesterday, warned that it would come down hard on any judge found engaging in such a practice in future.
The statement, signed by the Acting Director, Information, Mr. Soji Oye “warned” Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court for engaging in wrongful conduct.
Justice Onyetemu granted an ex-parte order without hearing the pending motion on notice and applications in a suit before him.
The NJC “deliberated on the report and recommendation of its committee that investigated the petition forwarded to it by Nestello Gateway Group in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/486/10 against Hon. Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, OFR, the former Hon. Chief Judge of High Court of FCT, Abuja.
“At the end of deliberation, council accepted the findings of its committee that Hon. Justice Gummi, OFR, interfered with execution of the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja in the suit between Nestello Gateway Group and Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, a former National Assembly member and the current Governor of Zamfara State in which execution had already been levied in favour of the petitioner.
“Council found the interference by Hon. Justice Gummi in the execution of the Judgment as most unethical and highly reprehensible.
“Council also accepted the recommendation of its Investigation Committee that Hon. Justice Gummi was guilty of gross misconduct, contrary to Rule 1(i) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which would have led to his removal from office.
“Council, however, took cognisance of the fact that Hon. Justice Gummi has already voluntarily retired from service and consequently decided not to recommend his removal from office.
“Council decided that henceforth, any similar misconduct by any judicial officer in the federation will be visited with severe sanctions.
“Council also warned Hon. Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court for granting ex-parte order without hearing the pending motion on notice and applications in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/236/2012 between Evangelist Charity O. Akah V. Alpaca Price Nigeria Limited and another.”
SOURCE: THE NATION
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