Ekiti lawyers file petition with NJC, requesting investigation into Justice Nwite for alleged bias and misconduct.
Written by Noble People Crew on 30 October 2024
Ekiti Lawyers Call on NJC to Investigate Justice Emeka Nwite for Alleged Misconduct and Bias
A group of lawyers, representing the Ekiti Lawyers Vanguard for Transparency, has filed a petition with the National Judicial Council (NJC) urging a probe into Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court in Abuja. The lawyers allege that Justice Nwite has engaged in controversial rulings and biased conduct, which they claim has led to significant public mistrust in the judiciary.
The petition, signed by ten lawyers, including Ademiloye Oladotun and Balogun Adeyemi, represents a collective of 54 members within the Vanguard. Titled, “Invitation to Probe Justice Emeka Nwite of the Federal High Court, Abuja, for Manifest Judicial Rascality, Inconsistent Rulings, Bias, Conducts Capable of Causing Public Distrust in the Judiciary, Injustice, and Inappropriate Use of the Court,” the document accuses Justice Nwite of undermining justice and tarnishing the sanctity of the court.
The lawyers allege that Justice Nwite issued rulings that protected individuals, including Oluwaseun Odewale, a former aide to ex-Governor Kayode Fayemi, from investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), despite allegations of corruption. However, they note that the same judge issued a bench warrant for the arrest of former Kogi State Governor Yahaya Bello, despite a conflicting restraining order from a state High Court.
The Vanguard claims that “justice has become a commodity” in Justice Nwite’s court, accessible to the highest bidder. They request the NJC’s intervention, expressing concern that Nwite’s actions set a “worrisome precedent” that undermines public confidence in the legal system. The group also points to a previous instance in which Justice Nwite issued an order for the arrest of Edison Ehie, Chief of Staff to the Rivers State Governor, over allegations of arson, later retracting it when challenged.
The petition highlights the alleged “double standard” and “dangerous precedent” of inconsistent rulings and disregard for established court orders. The lawyers stress that such conduct threatens the integrity of the judicial system and erodes public trust, urging the NJC to take immediate action.
Citing Senator Elizabeth Warren, the lawyers argue, “When judges allow their biases to affect their judgments, they undermine the very foundation of justice,” calling on the NJC to uphold the judiciary’s credibility through a thorough review of Justice Nwite’s conduct.
