The seven Chief Judges (CJs) summoned last month by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Ibrahim Muhammad, for allegedly issuing conflicting court orders, are to appear before him today in Abuja.
Although today’s summons were earlier directed at the CJs of Rivers, Kebbi, Cross River, Anambra, Jigawa and Imo states, it was learnt that the invitation was later extended to that of Delta State over a purported order against the leadership of the All Progressives Congress (APC).
A source at the Supreme Court told news that the affected judges are to first meet with the CJN in preparation for their eventual appearance before the National Judicial Council (NJC).
It was also learnt that the CJN plans to meet with the leadership of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) during the week.
“You recall the CJN issued the summons on August 30 to halt what has become an embarrassment to the Judiciary in the past few weeks.
“So, they will meet with the CJN on Monday (today) to brief him on what they know about the cases and why their judges appear not to be bothered about the effect of their conduct and decisions on the image of the Judiciary,” the source said.
The summons reads: “My attention has been drawn to media reports to the effect that some courts of coordinate jurisdiction were granting conflicting ex parte orders on the same subject matter.
“It has become expedient for me to invite you for a detailed briefing on the development.
“This is even more compelling, having regard to earlier NJC warning to judicial officers on the need to be circumspect in granting ex parte applications.”