TheCable

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has announced the sanction of Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, a judge serving in the Lagos division of the federal high court.

The council said it arrived at the decision after conducting investigations into allegations of misconduct contained in a petition written against the judge by one Victoria Ayeni.

Warning Ajumogobia against any misconduct in future, the judicial body barred her from elevation to a higher position, and said she would also not be considered for any ad hoc assignment.

“The decision was sequel to the petition written against her by one Victoria Ayeni alleging misconduct and injustice on the part of Hon. Justice Ofili-Ajumogobia for failing to deliver judgment in Suit No. FHC/AB/CS/31/2011, a pre-election matter between Victoria A. A. Ayeni and Olusola Sonuga,” Soji Oye, NJC spokesman, said in a statement.

“She was also alleged to have adjourned the pre-election matter several times until the termination of the life span of the Ogun state house of assembly.

He added that the decision to sanction Justice Ajugomobia was taken at the meeting of the council held between February 24 and 25, 2016.

“The National Judicial Council, Under the Chairmanship of Hon. Justice Mahmud Mohammed, GCON, at its Meeting which was held on the 24th and 25th February, 2016 decided to warn Hon. Justice Ruth Ofili-Ajumogobia and also put her on the ‘watch-list’ of the Council for the next four years,” the statement read.

“The honourable judge will also not be considered for any elevation to the Court of Appeal or any ad-hoc judicial appointment till her retirement from the bench.”