UPDATE: NJC finally suspends 7 judges busted for corruption

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has suspended the seven senior judges arrested in October by the State Security Service (SSS) for alleged monumental corruption.

NJC initially refused to suspend the judges despite pressure, saying the allegations against them had not been substantiated. It later said the judges had voluntarily stepped down from court sittings.

Their suspension came after the council’s 7th meeting between yesterday and today.

A communique issued at the end of the meeting, and signed by Director of Information, Soji Oye, said the decision was taken to avoid allowing persons under investigation to partake in presiding over judicial matters at the same time.

“Council also decided that Judicial Officers shall not be standing trial for alleged corruption related offences and be performing judicial functions at the same time.

“Council however decided that it will ensure that Judicial Officers who are being investigated for alleged high profile criminal offences do not perform judicial functions until their cases are concluded,” the communique said