Former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Prof. Chidi Odinkalu, has launched a scathing critique of the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing it of being “deeply complicit in judicial corruption” within Nigeria.
Odinkalu’s statement follows the NJC’s recent decision to suspend three High Court judges for judicial misconduct. The affected judges are Hon. Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, Hon. Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, and Hon. Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division. They received a one-year suspension without pay.
However, Odinkalu, in a series of posts on his X handle on Thursday, expressed strong disapproval of the sanctions. He argued that the NJC is merely handing out “irresponsible slaps on the wrist” to corrupt judges, demonstrating a severe lack of concern for the damage inflicted on judicial integrity.
Odinkalu questioned how Justice Jane Inyang could have been elevated to the Court of Appeal in September 2023, less than two years ago, given what he describes as “egregious acts of judicial corruption” during her time at the Federal High Court. He further criticized the circumstances surrounding her elevation, linking it to the actions of the former Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Olukakayode Ariwoola.
He also described Justice Inyang Edem Ekwo as having a history of questionable conduct, stating that he had been under caution by the NJC for the past year. Odinkalu highlighted the fact that Justice Ekwo was suspended for delivering a judgment without hearing from all parties involved.
Odinkalu argued that these suspensions are not sufficient and reflect a deeper problem within the Nigerian judiciary. He posed several critical questions:
“If a person is as crooked as Jane Inyang or as Inyang Ekwo, how can that person be a judge to begin with?”
“If a judge can behave with such manifest impunity and disregard for the basic rules of judicial comportment…what would it take for a judge to be relieved of their position? Maybe commit murder…?”
“How did Jane Inyang manage to make it to the Court of Appeal while the complaint about her conduct was still pending? The NJC says it has suspended her from elevation for 5 years. You know what that means? She can still get to the Supreme Court.”
Odinkalu concluded by stating, “In plain language, the NJC is now deeply complicit in judicial corruption. It is handing out these irresponsible slaps on the wrist with utter disregard for their effect on judicial integrity or the damage that these entrench in the judiciary. This rot is deeply criminal… The conclusion is inescapable that the NJC as currently constituted is part of the problem not part of the solution. What it has done in these cases is just not good enough. If it is not willing to root out judicial crookedness, then it should be rooted out.”
