The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over alleged misconduct, including the unlawful detention of litigants and abuse of judicial authority.

The council also issued warnings and cautions to several other judicial officers over violations of judicial procedures and improper handling of court cases.

Naija News reports that the decisions were reached during the NJC's 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

The three suspended judicial officers are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.

Justice Kabir was sanctioned for ordering the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience to a court order without complying with the mandatory contempt procedures.

The council's investigation found that she failed to serve the litigant with the required Forms 48 and 49 before ordering the detention, thereby violating the litigant's right to a fair hearing.

In addition to her one-year suspension without pay, the NJC barred her from being considered for promotion or elevation for three years.

Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended over his involvement in reopening a judgment previously delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court.

The council found that he exceeded his judicial authority by setting up a committee to review the earlier judgment before transferring the matter to another judge, who received fresh evidence and delivered a different judgment.

The NJC described the process as an attempt to appeal against an existing judgment of a court with the jurisdiction to determine the matter.

Similarly, Justice Biambo was sanctioned for ordering the arrest of litigants and imposing a fine of ₦300,000 on each of them in connection with a civil dispute.

The council found that he took the action without following the required contempt proceedings or serving the necessary legal documents.

Like Grand Kadi Salihu, Justice Biambo was also barred from consideration for promotion or elevation for three years.

Meanwhile, the NJC issued a warning to Justice Kayode Agunloye of the FCT High Court over his handling of garnishee proceedings in a case involving First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

The council faulted him for granting another ex parte application for a Garnishee Order Nisi after an earlier application on the same issue had been withdrawn and struck out.

It also found that he proceeded with the application while other matters, including an application for a stay of execution, were still pending before the court.

In another disciplinary decision, the NJC approved warnings and cautions for other judicial officers over their handling of court cases.

Justice Bello Kawu was among those sanctioned for granting interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, despite an existing remand order issued by another judge.

Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana also received warning letters for delivering judgments in an appeal after the 90-day period prescribed by the Constitution.

Other judicial officers who received cautions or were placed on the council's Watch List include Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court.

He was faulted for issuing court orders after being informed that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal.

Justice C. A. Ogbuagor of the Enugu State High Court was also cautioned for continuing proceedings in a case despite a pending appeal and an application seeking a stay of execution.

Similarly, Justice Chibuike Azuama of the Imo State High Court was sanctioned for granting an ex parte garnishee order that froze the bank accounts of Puma Energy, despite the company not being a party to the substantive suit.