The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over misconduct, according to reports on Wednesday, 4 November 2026.

The decisions

The decisions were taken at the council's 112th meeting on 3 November, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The council also issued cautions to eight others and approved warning letters to three judges following investigations into petitions about their conduct. The offences included unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial authority and breaches of due process.

Who was suspended

Those suspended were reportedly Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court. The council said Justice Kabir ordered the arrest and detention of a litigant for 58 days over alleged disobedience of a court order without following proper contempt procedures, and barred her from consideration for promotion for three years. Grand Kadi Salihu was suspended over his role in reopening a judgment already delivered by an FCT Upper Area Court.

Background

The NJC is the body responsible for disciplining judges in Nigeria. Public trust in the judiciary has been a recurring concern, particularly over election cases and conflicting court orders. Civil society groups have repeatedly called on the council to act firmly against judicial misconduct ahead of the 2027 elections, when courts are expected to handle many disputes.

Why it matters

Observers say the decisions send a signal that judges will be held accountable for abusing their powers.

Nigerian politics will teach you lessons no classroom ever can.

Just look at former Imo State Governor Rochas Okorocha and the current governor, Hope Uzodinma, smiling, joking and singing together like two old friends who have never had a political disagreement.

Rivals on paper

These are the same political figures whose camps have been involved in a legal dispute over a senatorial candidacy.

Yet here they are, laughing and enjoying themselves, while some of their supporters are outside exchanging insults, fighting imaginary battles and treating political disagreements like personal family wars.

The real problem

Some supporters have destroyed friendships, fought their neighbours and made enemies of people they have known for years, all because of politicians who can sit together tomorrow, shake hands and laugh over a bottle of expensive wine.

The painful part is that some supporters are even willing to risk their lives defending these politicians. Meanwhile, the politicians themselves understand that politics is a game of interests, and today's enemy can become tomorrow's ally.

Look at Rochas and Hope again. Do they look like people who cannot stand each other?

A lesson for supporters

This should be a serious lesson to Nigerians, especially those who insult, threaten and attack others over political differences.

Support whoever you want. Campaign for your preferred candidate. But never allow political loyalty to turn you into an enemy of your fellow citizens.

At the end of the day, the politicians you are fighting for may be laughing together while you are still carrying their quarrel on your head.

Over to you

Nigerians, when will we learn that politicians are not worth dying for? Look at the picture and tell us: who is really fooling who?

President Bola Tinubu has left Saudi Arabia for Abuja after completing his Umrah, or lesser pilgrimage, in Makkah.

The departure

According to a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the President's aircraft took off from the Royal Terminal of King Abdulaziz International Airport in Jeddah at 5.13pm Saudi time on Wednesday, 4 November 2026. He was seen off by the Deputy Governor of the Makkah Region, Prince Saud bin Mishal bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Nigeria's ambassador to Saudi Arabia, Yakubu Gambo, and the Consul-General, Muazam Ibrahim Nayaya. Before leaving, the President held a brief meeting with the deputy governor at the Royal Guest Palace in the airport.

Background

Tinubu left Abuja for Makkah on 29 October. During the trip he was granted the rare honour of entering the Kaaba with his delegation, where he said he prayed for peace, unity and prosperity for Nigeria. He also hosted governors and senior officials at a dinner in Makkah. The trip drew comment from opposition figures, with Atiku Abubakar's campaign saying it would not guarantee him a second term and activist Omoyele Sowore claiming it was for medical treatment, which the Presidency denied.

What happens next

The President is expected to resume official duties in Abuja. Among matters awaiting him is his request to the Senate for approval of $7.7 billion in new foreign borrowing.

The Court of Appeal in Abuja has ruled in favour of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) leadership led by Abdulrahman Mohammed, the latest turn in the party's long-running leadership crisis.

The judgment

On Wednesday, 4 November 2026, a three-member special panel led by Justice Ugochukwu Anthony Ogakwu dismissed an appeal filed by former Senate President Adolphus Wabara and seven others, according to reports. The appellants had asked the court to compel the Independent National Electoral Commission to recognise an interim National Working Committee led by Turaki instead of the Abdulrahman-led NWC. The panel upheld an earlier Federal High Court judgment that backed the Abdulrahman-led committee.

What happens next

The losing faction announced plans to take the matter to the Supreme Court, vowing to continue the legal battle.

Background

The PDP, Nigeria's main opposition party for much of the past decade, has been split by leadership disputes since its defeat in the 2023 elections. Several of its leading figures have left to join other parties or opposition coalitions, while others, including FCT Minister Nyesom Wike, have backed President Bola Tinubu. The party has continued to field candidates for the 2027 elections in many states, but its internal crisis has raised questions about its strength.

Why it matters

Who controls the party's national leadership affects the nomination of candidates and the party's dealings with INEC ahead of the January 2027 elections.