12th September, 2021
The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) has directed the Judicial Service Committee (JSC) of the FCT, Abuja to investigate and sanction the Upper Area Court Judge Gambo Garba.
Garba had issued direct Criminal Summons against the Anambra State APGA governorship candidate Professor Chukwuma Soludo, an order clearly above his limit.
CJN Muhammad has now asked the JSC under the Chairmanship of the Acting Chief Judge of the FCT, Justice Husseini Yusuf-Baba to punish Garba, Channels TV reported.
In July 2021, Garba issued a direct Criminal Summons against Prof. Soludo over perjury, corruption and false assets declaration, an action which is said to be completely outside the jurisdiction of the Court.
The court said the criminal summons against Soludo was for alleged serial abuse of office and breach of Code of Conduct for public officers when he was the Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria between 29 May 2004 – 29 May 2009.
The acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory is expected to submit his findings to the CJN within 21 days.
Last week, worried by conflicting ex parte orders flying out of courts, the CJN met with Chief Judges of FCT, Rivers, Kebbi, Cross Rivers, Jigawa, Anambra and Imo States.