Zamfara gov’ship: NJC to probe judge over alleged judicial misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved investigation of a judge over allegation of misconduct in the Zamfara State governorship election dispute. This followed a petition by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, alleging “gross abuse of office and judicial rascality” against the judge in […]

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved investigation of a judge over allegation of misconduct in the Zamfara State governorship election dispute.

This followed a petition by the governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in the state, Alhaji Sani Shinkafi, alleging “gross abuse of office and judicial rascality” against the judge in a political case marked ZMS/GS/52/2018, pertaining to the March 9 governorship election.

According to the petition, Justice Bello Muhammed Shinkafi ignored judicial hierarchy by proceeding to deliver judgment in a matter that was pending before the Sokoto State Division of the Court of Appeal.

Shinkafi alleged that the high court judge took the action after he was notified that the appellate court was already seized of the facts of the case, thereby violating his right to fair hearing as enshrined under Section 36 of the 1999 Constitution, as amended.

“Sir, judiciary and all stakeholders in the administration of justice are known to be ethical, professional and disciplined. Regards and respect for seniority is an already established decorum that was never challenged especially among judges, let alone of a case like this where the hierarchy of the two courts in question were defined by the constitution,” he wrote.

“My lords, I have considered with greatest dismay the action of Justice Bello as unethical and unprofessional. It speaks the volume of his unpreparedness to strict adherence to the rule of law and an already established court process and procedures,” Shinkafi said.