Justice G. B. Okolosi, Sa’adatu I. Mark, and Daniel Okungbowa Cautioned by NJC for Delayed Judgments, Judicial Discretion Abuse
*Warns Justice Rahman A. Oshodi Over Misuse of Discretion in Lagos Suit No. ID/232/53C/23
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has taken disciplinary action against six judicial officers, including barring a judge of the National Industrial Court, Hon. Justice Isaac J. Essien, from promotion to any higher court for a period of three years due to gross misconduct.
The decision, reached at the NJC’s 109th meeting held on June 25, 2025, and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, followed the consideration of reports from its investigation and complaints assessment committees.
Justice Essien was found to have improperly ordered the confiscation of over ₦1 billion belonging to the Nasarawa State Government and its Local Government Councils, despite having full knowledge of a pending appeal and an application for a stay of execution in the case.
The Council also cited his refusal to recuse himself after the Nasarawa State Government raised concerns of bias due to his prior employment at the state university, which owed him gratuity. Further, the judge had demanded his gratuity using official court letterhead and personally visited the Court of Appeal registry to confirm appeal filings — actions the NJC described as clear violations of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
In a separate move, the Council issued cautions and warnings to five other judges for various infractions. Among them was Hon. Justice Rahman A. Oshodi, who was cautioned for the misuse of judicial discretion in Suit No. ID/232/53C/23. Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, Chief Judge of Edo State, was also cautioned over the abuse of judicial discretion in Suit No. B1/555/2020 and was advised to act more judiciously in future rulings.
Furthermore, the NJC issued a final warning to Hon. Justice G. B. Okolosi of the Delta State High Court for repeated violations of Section 294(1) of the 1999 Constitution, which mandates timely delivery of judgments. Hon. Justice Sa’adatu I. Mark of the Federal High Court was similarly cautioned for delivering a judgment beyond the constitutionally stipulated 90-day period.
The Council emphasized its commitment to upholding integrity and discipline within the judiciary and warned that similar violations in the future would attract more stringent sanctions.
