The National Judicial Council (NJC) has announced the suspension of three judges for one year without pay due to various acts of judicial misconduct. This decision was made during the council's 112th meeting, held on November 3, 2026, under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

The suspended judges include Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal, and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court. Justice Kabir faced suspension for unlawfully detaining a litigant for 58 days without following the proper contempt proceedings. The NJC's investigation revealed that she ordered the arrest of the litigant for alleged disobedience to court orders without the requisite legal forms, violating the litigant's right to a fair hearing.

Grand Kadi Salihu was also suspended for reopening a judgment that had already been delivered by the FCT Upper Area Court. The NJC found that he exceeded his authority by forming a committee to review the judgment, which was deemed an improper appeal against a valid court decision. Following this, the Jigawa State High Court set aside his actions.

Justice Biambo's suspension stemmed from his issuance of bench warrants and imposing fines on litigants in a civil case without due process. The NJC determined that he had ordered the arrest of petitioners for alleged disobedience to an interim injunction and imposed fines without instituting the necessary contempt proceedings.

In addition to the suspensions, the NJC issued warning letters to six other judges for various breaches of judicial conduct. Justice Bello Kawu of the FCT High Court received a caution for granting interim bail to former Attorney-General Abubakar Malami, despite a conflicting remand order from another judge. The NJC noted that Justice Kawu was aware of the existing order when he made his decision.

Justices Danjuma Oyigbenu and Isa Ebini Kana of the Nasarawa State High Court were also cautioned for failing to deliver judgments within the constitutionally mandated 90 days, a breach of Section 294 of the 1999 Constitution. The NJC rejected their claims that the provision did not apply to appellate courts, emphasizing the need for diligence in case management.

Further cautions were issued to Justice Mohammed Zubairu of the FCT High Court for disregarding an ongoing appeal and to Justice C. A. Ogbuagor of the Enugu State High Court for denying fair hearing in proceedings despite a pending appeal. Justice Chibuike Azuama of the Imo State High Court was placed on the NJC's watch list for granting an ex parte order that adversely affected a company not involved in the original case.

In a related development, the NJC recommended 28 candidates for judicial appointments across five states and the Federal Capital Territory. This includes 24 nominees for High Court judges in states such as Kano, Ebonyi, Edo, Adamawa, and Ogun, as well as candidates for Sharia and Customary Court positions. The council has directed that these candidates be sworn in promptly by their respective state governors. Additionally, the NJC instructed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include the name of Justice Ijeoma Agugua, the Acting Chief Judge, in the shortlist for substantive Chief Judge following a petition against her exclusion.