For those who do not understand the power of the NJC, please find below the Powers of the NJC as it relates to Judicial officers and it is my opinion that DSS does not have power to investigate corrupt charges against the judges but can investigate any other crime committed by any judge as a private person.

But if the alleged offence has something to do with their work as a judge or committed in the course of their duties, it is the duty of NJC to investigate, discipline and recommend them for further investigation and prosecution by any other law enforcement agency. That is the reason why Police or military will first court martial their member before recommending the officer for sack, demotion or prosecution.

POWERS OF THE NATIONAL JUDICIAL COUNCIL

By the provision of Paragraph 21 of Part One of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended;
The National Judicial Council shall have the power to:

Recommend to the President from among the list of persons submitted to it by -

the Federal Judicial Service Commission, persons for appointment to the Offices of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, the Justices of the Supreme Court, the President and Justices of the Court of Appeal, the Chief Judge and Judges of the Federal High Court, and

the Judicial Service Committee of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, persons for appointment to the Offices of the Chief Judge and Judges of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, the Grand Kadi and Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja and the President and Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal of the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja;

recommend to the President the removal from office of the Judicial Officers specified in sub-paragraph (a) of this paragraph, and to exercise disciplinary control over such Officers;

recommend to the Governors from among the list of persons submitted to it by the State Judicial Service Commissions persons for appointments to the Offices of the Chief Judges of the States and Judges of the High Courts of the States, the Grand Kadis and Kadis of the Sharia Courts of Appeal of the States; and President and Judges of the Customary Courts of Appeal of the States;

recommend to the Governors the removal from office of the Judicial Officers specified in sub-paragraph (c) of this paragraph, and to exercise disciplinary control over such officers;

collect, control and disburse all moneys, capital and recurrent, for the judiciary;

advise the President and Governors in any matter pertaining to the judiciary as may be referred to the Council by the President or the Governors;

appoint, dismiss and exercise disciplinary control over Members and staff of the Council;

control and disburse all monies, capital and recurrent, for the services of the Council; and

deal with all other matters relating to broad issues of policy and administration.

The Secretary of the Council shall be appointed by the National Judicial Council on the recommendation of the Federal Judicial Service Commission and shall be a Legal Practitioner.”

OTHER FUNCTIONS

Pursuant to its Constitutional powers in Section 158 & Paragraph 21 Sub-paragraph (i) of Part One of the Third Schedule to the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended, the Council has the following functions and responsibilities:

Screening/Interview of Candidates/Judges/Justices for Judicial Appointments
The Council screens/interviews all candidates/Judges/Justices for appointment to all Superior Courts of Record (Customary Court of Appeal, Sharia Court of Appeal, High Court of Justice, National Industrial Court of Nigeria, Federal High Court, Court of Appeal & the Supreme Court), in the Federation.
“Screening and interview of all candidates nominated for Judicial appointments to Superior Courts of Record in the Federation is a new guideline to allow for competition among candidates and transparency in the selection mechanism for judicial appointments”.

Performance Evaluation Of Judicial Officers Of Superior Courts Of Record In The Federation
The Judges’ Performance Evaluation Committee of the National Judicial Council assesses and evaluates the performances of all Judicial Officers in the Federation based on their quarterly Returns of cases to the Council.
“The Report of the Performance Evaluation of Judicial Officers in Superior Courts of Records in the Federation is used as a yardstick and mechanism to discipline Judges and to determine the actual needs of Courts vis-a-vis appointment of Judges and for budget consideration. The report is also considered by Council when Judicial Officers from Customary Court of Appeal, Sharia Court of Appeal, High Court of Justice, National Industrial Court and Federal High Court are being recommended for appointment to the Court of Appeal and also from the Court of Appeal to the Supreme Court.”

Budget
The Council prepares the Capital and Recurrent budget for the Federal Judiciary; and also the Recurrent budget for the State Judicial Offices (High Court of Justice, Sharia Court of Appeal and Customary Court of Appeal), in respect of their Consolidated Salaries, allowances and overhead cost.

Pensions Of Retired Federal Judicial Officers
The National Judicial Council is responsible for payment of gratuities and pensions of all retired Federal Judicial Officers vide the Federal Judicial Officers (Administration of Pension) Act 2007.

Due Process on Procurements and Contracts
The Due Process Committee of the National Judicial Council ensures that all Contracts and procurement above a certain threshold in the Federal Judiciary are vetted in compliance with the Procurement Act.

Federal Judiciary Tenders Board The Board awards Contracts that are above the thresholds of Courts and Judicial Bodies in the Federal Judiciary (Procurement Act).

Budget Monitoring, Projects & Contracts Evaluation
In line with government policy, as it is done in the other Arms of Government, the Council monitors projects execution and evaluates all contracts awarded in the Federal Judiciary.

Read more...

http://www.njcgov.org/Aboutus/AboutusProfile

Hmmmm

One clarification on the mass invasions of the homes of judges by the DSS

Our LAW recognises that allegations against certain categories of persons be handled through special procedures and it goes ahead to establish such procedures, These procedures do not place such persons above but UNDER the special procedures established by the LAW.

Now, the National Judicial Council is established by LAW to handle all allegations against judicial officers. Where the NJC determines that an allegation of misconduct involves criminality on the part of the accused judicial officer, it recommends him for criminal prosecution in addition to any other disciplinary action that might be taken against him. In fact, just two weeks ago, one of the judges recommended for dismissal by the NJC was also recommended for prosecution.

Those who do not like the LAW as it is presently are free to press for its change. The APC controls the House of Rep, the Senate and the Executive arm of government. The three can amend the law instead of spitting or even defecating on it as they have done.

Therefore, judges are NOT above the law but the DSS, the APC and Buhari are the ones that have placed themselves ABOVE the law.

The consequences are grave, extremely grave for the common man who is under perpetual assault by government security agencies ..... and there is no time or space to elaborate here - Imma Okochua

NJC is clearly a technical interest group of The Nigerian Bar Association. Made by lawyers for lawyers while dubiously carrying the seal and authority of a whole arm of government. If NJC must be retained, its membership should be reconstituted to accommodate other stakeholders in the judiciary and membership should be by election. All elective posts should not be for lawyers

onomeasike:
NJC is clearly a technical interest group of The Nigerian Bar Association. Made by lawyers for lawyers while dubiously carrying the seal and authority of a whole arm of government. If NJC must be retained, its membership should be reconstituted to accommodate other stakeholders in the judiciary and membership should be by election. All elective posts should not be for lawyers

two persons not being legal practitioners are in the council and their only requirement is high integrity....

double post