By Marcus Ikechukwu
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has constituted 15 probe panels to investigate allegations of official misconduct levelled against 15 Judges of the Federal and State High Courts.
According to reliable sources, the panels are to determine the culpability of the Judicial officers in the various petitions filed against them by individuals and corporate organisations.
A statement by Soji Oye, NJC Director of Information, on Friday, confirmed that the decision to investigate the alleged erring Judges was taken at the Council’s 99th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola.
NJC said the decision to investigate the judges followed the submission of recommendations of three Preliminary Complaint Assessment Committees, which considered 66 petitions forwarded to them by the Council from all over the Federation.
The NJC, however, kept the names of the affected Judges to its chest, including their divisions and the specific nature of their alleged offences.
However, the NJC stated that it dismissed petitions against 51 Judicial Officers of the Federal and State High Courts for either lack of merit, being subjudice, or being matters for an appeal or that the concerned Judge had retired from service.
Mr Oye explained in the statement that the Council was formally presented with the reviewed Judicial Information Technology Policy, which established the general requirements and responsibilities for the Nigerian Judiciary systems and information.
“The policy provides for the guidance of Courts and Judicial Bodies in protecting Confidentiality, Integrity and Availability (CIA) of judiciary function and process.
“The scope is intended for all Courts and Judicial Bodies in Nigeria, including staff of the Nigerian judiciary, employed or contracted to any Judicial Body handling information that is generated, received, stored, transmitted, or printed.
“It encompasses all personal or Judiciary identifiable data held in their Courts and Judicial Bodies’ systems and process including supporting mechanisms and technologies for managing such data at rest or in transit.
“All staff are expected to comply with the policy and associated standard protocols and procedures that have been put in place to support the document.
“The policy is applicable to all Courts unit and departments of all Judicial Bodies in the Nigerian Judiciary.
“Reports from Standing and ad-hoc Committees of the Council were also presented at the Meeting as well as notifications of retirement of 16 Judges and notification of the death of a Judge from the Federal and State High Courts,” the statement further said.
