The National Judicial Council, NJC, has barred three High Court Judges who granted conflicting ex-parte orders in cases with same parties and subject matters from promotion to higher Bench for a period ranging from two to five years.
At its emergency meeting held in Abuja, the NJC passed the resolution to bar the three Judges.
The outcome of the meeting held behind closed door was made public in a statement issued by the Director of Information of the NJC, Mr Soji Oye.
The statement says there is no written petition, allegations of corruption or impropriety against the Judges, but the Council nevertheless, initiates investigation pursuant to its inherent disciplinary powers under the Constitution to unravel the circumstances leading to the spate of ex-parte orders .
The meeting which was chaired by the Deputy Chairman of Council, Justice Mary Odili, agreed with the recommendations of the Investigation Committee set up on September, this year, that Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the High Court of Rivers State and Justice Nusirat Umar of the High Court of Kebbi State be barred from elevation to higher Bench for two years.
While Justice Edem Kooffreh of the High Court of Cross River State would not be promoted to higher Bench for five years for allowing himself to be used as a tool for abuse of court process.
The Council also placed him on its Watch-List for a period of two years.
Meanwhile, the Council has approved the appointment of 63 Judges for 16 States, 9 of which are Heads of Court.
RN