Judicial council fires Cross River judge

The national judicial council (NJC) has suspended B. , a judge of the high court of of Cross River state.

Soji Oye, the council’s spokesman, confirmed this on Friday, saying the council arrived at the decision after its 76th meeting which held in Abuja, on June 1, and June 2.

Oye said the judge was found wanting for alleged misconduct, advising him to stay away from the court pending the time Ben Ayade, governor of the state, approves the recommendation of the council for him to be sent on a compulsory retirement.

“Hon. Justice B. T. Ebuta was recommended for compulsory retirement from office to the governor of Cross River State, sequel to the findings by the Council on the allegations of abuse of judicial power, suppression and illegal/forceful takeover of a property in Calabar as contained in the petition written against him by Dr. (Mrs) Ekanem Cobham who alleged:- that Hon. Justice B.T. Ebuta made an order based on ex-parte application without sitting in court,” Oye said in a statement.

“That Hon. Justice B.T. Ebuta granted the said Ex-parte Application to unseal her property which was sealed on the order of a Magistrate Court when her tenant, Mr. Ugochukwu Chijioke failed to pay rent for two years.

“She stated that she filed Suit No MC/RT/12/6/14 at the Magistrate Court, Calabar against her tenant for failing to pay her rent and judgement was delivered in her favour on 10th November, 2014.

“The allegation constitutes misconduct contrary to Section 292(1)(b) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and Rules 1.3 and 3.5 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“In the meantime, the National Judicial Council has in the exercise of its disciplinary powers under the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, suspended Hon. Justice B. T. Ebuta from office with immediate effect pending the approval of the recommendation of the Council for His Lordship’s compulsory retirement by the Governor of Cross River State.”‎

NJC is headed by Mahmud Mohammed, the chief justice of Nigeria (CJN).