Justice Gummi Guilty Of Gross Misconduct, Says NJC
… Issues Warning To Justice M. A. Onyetenu Over Rogue Ex-parte Order
SAN FRANCISCO, July 18, (THEWILL) – The National Judicial Council (NJC) Thursday approved the recommendation of its Committee that investigated the petition forwarded to it by Nestello Gateway Group in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/486/10 against Hon. Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, OFR, the former Hon. Chief Judge of High Court of FCT, Abuja, and found him guilty of gross misconduct and interference in the suit presided over by Justice Jude Okeke.
The NJC reached the decision at its 63rd Meeting, which was held on 17th, and 18th July, 2013.
The NJC in a statement signed by Mr. Soji Oye, the NJC’s Acting Director of Information, however decided against punishing Gummi saying “Council, however, took cognizance of the fact that Hon. Justice Gummi has already voluntarily retired from service and consequently decided not to recommend his removal from office.”
Gummi had since been turbaned as the Emir of Gummi in Zamfara
The NJC however warned judicial officers that henceforth, any similar misconduct would be visited with severe sanctions.
Council also warned Hon. Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court for granting ex-parte order without hearing a pending motion on notice and applications in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/236/2012 between Evangelist Charity O. Akah V. Alpaca Price Nigeria Limited and Another.
The full text the NJC statement reads;
“The National Judicial Council at its 63rd Meeting which was held on 17th and 18th July, 2013 deliberated on the Report and recommendation of its Committee that investigated the petition forwarded to it by Nestello Gateway Group in Suit No. FCT/HC/CV/486/10 against Hon. Justice Lawal Hassan Gummi, OFR, the former Hon. Chief Judge of High Court of FCT, Abuja.
At the end of deliberation, Council accepted the findings of its Committee that Hon. Justice Gummi, OFR, interfered with execution of the judgment delivered by Hon. Justice Jude Okeke of the FCT High Court, Abuja in the Suit between Nestello Gateway Group and Alhaji Abdul’aziz Abubakar Yari, a former National Assembly Member and the current Governor of Zamfara State in which execution had already been levied in favour of the petitioner. Council found the interference by Hon. Justice Gummi in the execution of the Judgment as most unethical and highly reprehensible.
Council also accepted the recommendation of its Investigation Committee that Hon. Justice Gummi was guilty of gross misconduct contrary to Rule 1(i) of the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria which would have led to his removal from office.
Council, however, took cognizance of the fact that Hon. Justice Gummi has already voluntarily retired from service and consequently decided not to recommend his removal from office.
Council decided that henceforth, any similar misconduct by any Judicial Officer in the Federation will be visited with severe sanctions.
Council also warned Hon. Justice M. A. Onyetenu of the Federal High Court for granting Ex-parte Order without hearing the pending Motion on notice and applications in Suit No. FHC/PH/CS/236/2012 between Evangelist Charity O. Akah V. Alpaca Price Nigeria Limited and Another.
Soji Oye, Esq.
Acting Director (Information).”