The Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Tanko Muhammad has ordered the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital Territory FCT to immediately initiate disciplinary action against the Upper Area Court Judge who issued direct Criminal Summons against a former governor of the Central Governor of Nigeria CBN Charles Soludo.
The judge whose name is being withheld issued the criminal charges against the governorship candidate of the All Progressive Grand Alliance of Anambra State over alleged serial abuse of office and breach of Code of Conduct for public officers when he was the Governor of Central Bank of Nigeria between 29 May 2004 - 29 May 2009
The Upper Area Court had on 23 August 2021 issued a direct Criminal Summons against Mr Soludo over perjury, corruption and false assets declaration which is completely outside the jurisdiction of the Upper Area Court.
Trial on criminal charges on false declaration of assets is exclusively vested in the Code of Conduct Tribunal CCT but the Upper Area Court Judge assumed jurisdiction contrary to the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The FCT Judicial Service Committee billed to discipline the Judge is under the Chairmanship of the Acting Chief Judge, Hussein Baba Yusuf.
The acting Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory is expected to submit his findings to the CJN within 21 days.