Conflicting Exparte Orders: CJ FHC Tsoho Asks Judges To Remain Above Board

The Chief Judge of the Federal High Court, Justice John Tsoho, on Friday asked judges to always be wary of actions that could put their good reputation and the court in bad light.

He also expressed happiness that none of the judges of the court was named in the findings of the National Judicial Council over the recent conflicting court orders by three judges.

The News Agency of Nigeria reported that Tsoho said these in his opening address at the 37th Annual Federal High Court Judges’ Conference in Abuja.

The NJC on Thursday came down hard on three judges for issuing conflicting orders. They were barred from being promoted while they also received warning letters.

The NJC had initiated investigation pursuant to its inherent disciplinary powers under the constitution to unravel the circumstances that led to the spate of ex parte orders granted by these courts of coordinate jurisdiction over matters with the same parties and subject matters.

As a result, they were barred from promotion to the higher Bench for a period ranging from two to five years whenever they were due for such promotion.

The affected judges are Justice Okogbule Gbasam of the High Court of Rivers State , Justice Nusirat I. Umar of the High Court of Kebbi State and Justice Edem Ita Kooffreh of the High Court of Cross River State.

Tsoho said, “It is a thing of joy and pride that no judge of the Federal High Court featured in the recent saga of wrong issuance of ex-parte orders. Let us continue to maintain this image.

“Judges are human beings, but must see themselves as occupying positions that are more sensitive than others. Hence, like Caesar’s wife, they must be above suspicions. Indeed, words and actions that would easily seem provocative to the ‘ordinary man’ should be completely avoided.”

Tsoho, who thanked the judges for their hard work and dedication to duty throughout the past legal year, said he was also happy that no action emanated from the court to truncate or interfere with the November 6 Anambra State governorship election.

Tsoho, who sought for an improvement in the welfare of judges and their staff, said it was no longer news that about six new judges would be appointed soonest, while the process for the appointment of another 15 judges would commence.