The Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has initiated a formal investigation into judges of the federal and state high courts who have issued conflicting rulings amid the ongoing political crisis in Rivers State.
This decision was made during a meeting with the investigative panel held in her office on Monday.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has been tasked with examining the actions of judges involved in the numerous legal disputes arising from the political conflict between Rivers State Governor Siminalayi Fubara and his former ally, Nyesome Wike, the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The panel is expected to submit its findings within the week.
As part of the investigation, all judges who have presided over related cases have been summoned.
The panel, led by a former justice of the Court of Appeal, includes two heads of courts. Additionally, the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court has been summoned for questioning on Tuesday.
While some formal complaints have already been filed with the NJC, the CJN took the initiative to order a comprehensive probe in response to the growing public concern regarding the judiciary's impartiality and integrity.
The ongoing political crisis in Rivers State has sparked a series of inconsistent court decisions, prompting questions about the judges' adherence to their judicial duties.
The NJC's intervention aims to restore public confidence in the judicial system by ensuring that all involved judges uphold the principles of fair adjudication and their oath of office.