Justice Akanbi Of The Federal High Court Sacked By Buhari For Bribe.

President Muhammadu Buhari has finally sacked Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court who was accused of N100m bribe.

Justice Akanbi

The justice was relieved of his position in form of a obligatory retirement. Akanbi was found guilty of breaking the code of conduct for judicial officers.

He was blamed for acquiring N100m from Governor Nyesom Wike upon which he sacked about 22 local government chairmen and councilors for supposedly being elected on an unlawful premise.

Soji Oye, the ‎acting director of information at the NJC released a statement in Abuja, saying that the president’s approval comes after a recommendation made to him in that regard by the council.

The statement reads in part: “The allegations levelled against Justice Akanbi and contained in the petition are inter-alia:- That Justice Akanbi unilaterally appointed Mr. Emeka Nkwo of CYN-JAC (NIG) LTD who was not proposed by any of the parties as referee or valuer in Suit Nos FHC/PH/CS/434/2012 and FHC/PH/CS/435/2012.

 “He also appointed the same referee or valuer in Suit FHC/PH/CS/25/2003, which is another matter involving one of the parties in the first suit.”

“That he heard and concluded the case without dealing with the notice of preliminary objection on the Jurisdiction of his court.”

“That he sat on the case in the Federal High Court, Yenegoa in Suit FHC/YNG/CS/30/2013 after a new Judge had been transferred to the state without a fiat from the Hon. Chief Judge of the Federal High Court.”

“That the Judge also delivered the ruling in Suit No FHC/PH/CS/07/2009, four months after final addresses were taken without any cogent reason contrary to the constitutional provisions that judgment should be delivered within a period of 90 days.”

“That Justice Akanbi also dismissed the application to set aside the report prepared by the valuer, CYN – JAC (NIG) LTD and later changed the Ruling to Judgement which prevented the Respondent from pursuing the application for stay of proceedings at the Court of Appeal.”

“That Justice Akanbi also failed to give a copy of his ruling delivered on 12th June, 2013 to the complainant until 28th June, 2013.”

Justice Akanbi featured prominently in the dispute between then Governor Rotimi Amaechi and the NJC over the appointment of a Chief Judge in Rivers State, which led to the closure of the state’s court for over a year.

He gave a judgment which was at variance with the position taken by the NJC in the matter.