The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay and cautioned eight others over various acts of misconduct, including unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial powers and disregard for due process.

The council also barred two of the suspended judges from elevation for three years and directed that three judicial officers be issued warning letters over their handling of court cases.

According to a statement published on the NJC website on Wednesday, the decisions were taken at its 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

This was according to the statement issued by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe.

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.

The eight other judicial officers affected by the Council’s disciplinary decisions are Justice Kayode Agunloye, Justice Bello Kawu, Justice Danjuma A. Oyigbenu, Justice Isa Ebini Kana, Justice Mohammed Zubairu, Justice C. A. Ogbuagor, Justice Chibuike L. Azuama and one other officer not named in the detailed disciplinary section of the statement.

The reasons for the sanctions are as follows:

Judges suspended for one year.

1.     Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir – Nasarawa State High Court

Justice Kabir was suspended for one year without pay and barred from nomination for elevation for three years over the unlawful detention of a litigant for 58 days without proper contempt proceedings.

The investigation found that she ordered the litigant’s arrest and detention for alleged disobedience of court orders without issuing and serving the mandatory Forms 48 and 49 or instituting proper contempt proceedings.

The committee held that the alleged contempt occurred outside the court’s presence and could not lawfully be summarily tried and punished. It also found that the action violated the litigant’s right to fair hearing.

2. Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu – Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal

Salihu was suspended for one year without pay over his involvement in reopening a judgment delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court.

The committee found that he exceeded his authority by constituting a committee to review the judgment and subsequently assigning the matter to a higher Sharia Court judge, who received fresh evidence and delivered another judgment.

The committee held that the process amounted to an appeal against a valid judgment of a court of competent jurisdiction, which was subsequently set aside by the Jigawa State High Court.

It also found the action to constitute a violation of Rule 3.3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers, 2016.

3. . Justice Sobere Biambo – Rivers State High Court

Justice Biambo was suspended for one year without pay and barred from elevation for three years over the issuance of bench warrants and imposition of fines on litigants in a civil dispute without due process.

The committee found that he ordered the arrest of the petitioners for alleged disobedience of an interim injunction and subsequently imposed fines of N300,000 on each without instituting contempt proceedings or serving Forms 48 and 49.

It held that the alleged contempt occurred outside the court’s presence and ought not to have been summarily tried and punished.

Other judicial officers cautioned or issued warning letters

4. Justice Kayode Agunloye – FCT High Court

Justice Agunloye was cautioned over his handling of post-judgment garnishee proceedings in a suit involving First Bank of Nigeria Plc.

The committee found that he improperly entertained and granted a fresh ex parte application for a Garnishee Order Nisi on October 22, 2025, after an earlier similar application had been withdrawn and struck out.

This was while other pending applications, including the bank’s application for stay of execution, had been adjourned to November 4, 2025.

The committee held that his action created room for justifiable suspicion.

5. Justice Bello Kawu – FCT High Court

Justice Kawu was directed to be issued a warning letter and placed on the Council’s Watch List over his grant of interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Abubakar Malami, SAN, despite a subsisting remand order issued by another judge of the same court.

The investigation committee found that he knew of the earlier order, which was due to expire at midnight on December 24, 2025, but granted interim bail on December 23, 2025, in conflict with it.

6. Justice Danjuma A. Oyigbenu – Nasarawa State High Court

7. Justice Isa Ebini Kana – Nasarawa State High Court

The two judges were directed to be issued warning letters over their failure to deliver judgment in an appeal within the constitutionally prescribed 90 days.

The committee rejected their arguments that the constitutional provision did not apply to appellate courts, noting their admission that judgment was delivered outside the stipulated period without a satisfactory explanation for the delay.

The Council directed that warning letters be issued to them for breaching Section 294 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, and advised them to be more diligent in their case management.

8. Justice Mohammed Zubairu – FCT High Court

Justice Zubairu was cautioned and placed on the Council’s Watch List for entertaining an application and making orders after being informed that an appeal had already been entered at the Court of Appeal.

The committee held that his action amounted to disregard for the appellate court and bordered on insubordination. It also found his defence untenable.

9. Justice C. A. Ogbuagor – Enugu State High Court

Justice Ogbuagor was cautioned for continuing proceedings despite a pending appeal and an application for stay of proceedings.

The committee found that he exhibited judicial impertinence, denied fair hearing and disregarded due process and court hierarchy.

The Council advised him to familiarise himself with the law and procedures governing appeals.

10. Justice Chibuike L. Azuama – Imo State High Court

Justice Azuama was cautioned, placed on the Council’s Watch List and advised to take his judicial responsibilities seriously.

The Council found that he granted an ex parte Garnishee Order freezing the bank accounts of Puma Energy, a company that was not a party to the substantive suit, thereby causing it substantial losses.

The NJC also considered reports on 35 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees.

It dismissed 24 petitions for lack of merit, recommended four for further investigation and placed one petition in abeyance because it was sub judice.

The council further directed that investigations should continue into a petition against Justice G. N. Ugbala of the Ebonyi State High Court despite the petitioner’s notice of withdrawal.

King Onunwor

The National Agency for the Prohibition of Trafficking in Persons (NAPTIP) has warned Nigerians against falling victim to human traffickers who exploit social relationships, gyms and fake job advertisements to recruit unsuspecting victims.

The agency said traffickers often approach women in recreational centres and other social environments, build relationships with them and gradually gain their trust before luring them into trafficking networks.

The spokesman for NAPTIP, Adekoye Vincent, gave the warning yesterday during a joint briefing by security and intelligence agencies in Abuja.

Vincent explained that traffickers sometimes disguise themselves as service providers offering assistance with domestic needs, shopping and other everyday activities to establish familiarity with potential victims..

He said, “Traffickers are increasingly exploiting social relationships and the vulnerabilities of unsuspecting individuals, particularly women, to lure victims into their traps.

“One of the methods they use is to approach people in places such as gyms, recreational centres and other social environments.

“They initially present themselves as service providers, offering assistance with domestic needs, shopping, sourcing goods and other everyday activities.”

According to him, the traffickers obtain the telephone numbers of their targets and gradually build relationships by making themselves appear dependable and readily available to offer assistance.

He said some would deliberately appear whenever their potential victims encountered difficulties, including vehicle breakdowns, as part of efforts to win their confidence.

“These seemingly harmless gestures are often part of a deliberate strategy to gain the victim’s trust,” he said.

The NAPTIP spokesman also raised concerns over the use of fake job advertisements, particularly online, to deceive job seekers and lure them into trafficking networks.

He disclosed that the agency had recorded cases of Nigerians who travelled long distances in search of employment but ended up in the hands of traffickers.

“We have recorded very disturbing cases involving people who travelled long distances in search of employment opportunities only to fall into the hands of traffickers.

“One particularly troubling case involved a lawyer who travelled from Benue State to a law chamber in Abuja but unfortunately fell into the wrong hands,” Vincent said.

He added that he personally interacted with the victim, describing the experience as deeply disturbing.

Vincent further warned that trafficking cases could have devastating emotional and psychological consequences for victims, sometimes resulting in unwanted pregnancies.

He urged Nigerians to exercise caution when establishing relationships online or accepting unsolicited offers of assistance and employment.

“People should avoid rushing into online friendships and should always verify the identities and intentions of individuals they meet, particularly those making attractive offers of jobs, financial assistance or other opportunities,” he advised.

Alpha 10 Group has officially opened its Port Harcourt branch, describing the launch as a long-term commitment to the economic future of Port Harcourt and the wider Niger Delta.

The launch was attended by representatives of regulatory and government institutions, members of the Board, valued clients and partners, members of the media, and management and staff of Alpha 10.

Speaking during his welcome address, the Chairman of Alpha 10 Group, Mr. Chibuzor Ekwekwuo, said the new office is not simply another branch in another Nigerian city, but a statement of intent and a long-term commitment to a region whose economic future the Group believes in.

He said Port Harcourt and the wider Niger Delta represent far more than a geographical market which Alpha 10 intends to be part of it.

“Our conviction is simple: opportunity should not be limited by geography,” he said.

He noted that Port Harcourt has for decades been the centre of Nigeria’s petroleum industry, hosting critical energy infrastructure and one of the largest concentrations of oil and gas companies in the country.

He added that the next chapter of its economic story will be broader, pointing to the recent Niger Delta Economic and Investment Summit held in Port Harcourt as evidence of the shift towards investment, innovation, industrial growth and regional integration.

According to him, Rivers State contributes approximately N21 trillion to Nigeria’s economy, about 10 percent of national GDP, with a population of approximately 7.5 million people, making it one of the most sophisticated commercial ecosystems in the country.

Mr. Ekwekwuo said the financial services industry is changing rapidly, and the Board’s commitment is to ensure that Alpha 10’s growth remains anchored on sound governance, professional expertise, innovation and a deep understanding of clients’ needs.

He assured clients, partners, regulators and other stakeholders in Port Harcourt and across the South-South that the Group would operate with the same standards of governance and integrity that guide it everywhere, and will contribute meaningfully to the economic and investment ecosystem of the region.

He commended the management team and everyone who worked to make the milestone possible, noting that establishing a new branch requires commitment, planning and confidence in the future.

He also charged the management and staff of Alpha 10, especially the Port Harcourt team, to set a benchmark for the Group in service and client experience, and to become known not simply for its presence, but for the value it creates.

“We are confident about Port Harcourt. We are confident about the South-South. And we are confident about the future of Alpha 10,” he said.

He expressed confidence that the new office will become a platform for stronger relationships, greater investment and shared prosperity.

Also speaking, the Group Managing Director of Alpha 10, Mrs Abigail Utomi, said the vision of the Group is to build an integrated financial services group that delivers innovative value creation and wealth expansion, with an unwavering commitment to excellence.

She explained that the vision is daily being transformed into reality through specialized products and services delivered through three businesses within the Group.

“The first is the Capital Market business, which connects those who need capital to those who want to invest capital, whether through equity or debt.

“The second is Alpha 10 Global Markets Limited, incorporated in 2024, which provides services in the over-the-counter market. The third is Commercial Trust Limited, established in 1990 and acquired by Alpha 10 in 2024, to provide trust services and other related services.”

Mrs Utomi disclosed that in 2026, the Group launched three mutual funds, starting with the Alpha 10 Bond Fund.

She said the Group believes wealth creation extends beyond Naira investing, and for that reason launched the Dollar Fund to help investors protect their investments from currency risk and the constant devaluation of the Naira.

She said Alpha 10 is providing investment solutions that grow wealth for the retail investor, the high net-worth investor and the institutional investor, whether in money market or other instruments.

The Group Managing Director further disclosed that within nine months, from zero in January 2026, Alpha 10 has grown to N6.29 billion in regulated Net Asset Value of mutual funds in Nigeria, making it one of the fastest growing financial services groups participating in the Nigerian capital market today.

She attributed the growth to investments in people, processes, governance, institutional capacity, innovation, technology and solutions.

On expansion, Mrs. Utomi said the strategy is to bring locations closer to the people the Group serves, because investors, businesses and institutions need physical presence for assurance.

She noted that Port Harcourt is the Group’s fourth location, after Abuja, Lagos and Kano.

In his goodwill message, His Royal Majesty of Rebisi Kingdom, Eze Isaiah Elikwu, represented by Eze Arthur Kalagbor Onubam, Kingdom, welcomed Alpha 10 to Port Harcourt.

He said the Kingdom has received the assurance from the Chairman of Alpha 10 that this is not just another financial institution in Port Harcourt.

He said that the people of Port Harcourt had been sad because of what some investment companies did in the past.

“But I think there is something different about what we are doing here today,” he said.

He assured that as a Kingdom, the Rebisi people welcome Alpha 10, and that their job is to partner with the Group and give it their support in accordance with the law.

  Kiadum Edookor