THE National Judicial Council (NJC) has found immediate past Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) guilty of misconduct for interfering with the execution of a judgment delivered by Justice Okechukwu Okeke of the FCT High Court.
Although the NJC described Gummi's interference as "most unethical and highly reprehensible", it said it lacked the power to sanction him because he has already voluntarily left the Bench to serve as the traditional ruler of his people.
NJC's position was contained in a statement signed by its Head of Information, Soji Oye, whereof it stated that 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."
However, the NJC warned "any similar misconduct by any judicial officer in the federation will be visited with severe sanctions."
It also warned 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."
The statement reads:
• The National Judicial Council at its 63rd meeting, which was held on July 17 and 18, 2013, 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 Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi (OFR), the former Chief Judge of High Court of FCT, Abuja;
• At the end of deliberation, Council accepted the findings of its committee that Justice Gummi (OFR), interfered with execution of the judgment delivered by 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 Justice Gummi in the execution of the judgment as most unethical and highly reprehensible;
• Council also accepted the recommendation of its investigation committee that 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 cognizance of the fact that 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; and
• Council also warned 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."
The Guardian