Nigeria’s Judicial Council has suspended seven senior judges, who are being investigated for corruption.
The judges are accused of taking bribes in exchange for favourable judgements – allegations they have denied.
Security agents allegedly confiscated thousands of dollars when they raided the judges’ houses last month. President Muhammadu Buhari vowed to tackle corruption in the oil-rich nation during his election campaign last year.
The judicial regulatory body of Nigeria, the National Judicial Council (NJC), said the judges should not perform judicial functions while on trial for alleged corruption.
“Judicial officials who are being investigated for alleged high-profile criminal offences (must) not perform judicial functions until their cases are concluded,” said Chief Justice Mahmud Mohammed, who is the head of the council.
A total of 15 judges are under investigation. Seven of them had been arrested last month by the Department of State Service (DSS) but have now been released on bail. Justice ministry sources say the judges will be charged in the coming days, the AFP news agency reports.
The NJC, which aims to ensure the independence of the judiciary, has also set up a three-member transparency and anti-corruption committee to handle petitions and graft accusations against the judges.
Latest Stories
-
Appiatse residents handed keys to newly constructed homes
7 mins -
Dreams FC trainer Karim Zito sets sights on defending MTN FA Cup
11 mins -
Dumsor: Mahama the only President to superintended ‘dum dum’ for 4 years – Opoku Prempeh
21 mins -
Burnley sign partnership deal with fan-backed scouting platform Nordensa
44 mins -
Akesse Brempong, MOG Music, Afronita, Dope Nation to perform at Nsoromma Season 6 Grand Finale
48 mins -
Hopeson Adorye to form ‘Jail Them’ advocacy group
2 hours -
Shatta Wale once cried and knelt to apologise to Mahama – Dr Lawrence Tetteh
2 hours -
Former UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson turned away from polling station after forgetting photo ID
2 hours -
Nigeria soldiers face trial for deadly air strike ‘mistake’
2 hours -
Akufo-Addo, Otumfuo to commission Kumasi International Airport on May 10
2 hours -
PWDs who gain admission into tertiary institutions will be prioritised with government scholarships – Bawumia
2 hours -
Strongman regrets involving Fella Makafui in Medikal feud
2 hours -
NPP must unite now or perish later – Ameyaw-Akumfi warns
2 hours -
Fuel price adjustment: petrol surges to GH₵15.22, diesel falls to GH₵14.65
3 hours -
Kojo Golden nominated for Afrobeat Artiste of the Year at Ghana Music Awards USA
3 hours