President Muhammadu Buhari has approved the compulsory retirement from office of Hon. Justice Lambo Akanbi of the Federal High Court, Port Harcourt. The judge was sent on compulsory Retirement with immediate effect after the National Judicial council (NJC) suspended him and recommended his retirement to the President for misconduct. In a press statement, the Acting Director of the NJC, Mr Soji Oye, said the NJC made the recommendation to the President after its 74th meeting held on the November 4 and 5.
Shell Petroleum Company of Nigeria had made several allegations against Justice Lambo which were contained in a petition sent to the NJC. The allegations include, the unilateral appointment of one Mr. Emeka Nkwo as a referee and valuer in about three suits despite not been proposed by parties in the suit.
The judge also heard and concluded a case without dealing with a notice of preliminary objection on the jurisdiction of his court. Justice Akanbi also sat on a case in the Federal High Court Yenagoa without the fiat of the Chief Judge of the Federal High Court who had already transferred a new judge to the state.