The National Judicial Council says Justice Kawu knew another judge’s remand order was still in force when he granted the former attorney-general interim bail. The Council has not detailed what placement on its Watch List entails.
By John Ishaku
ABUJA, Nigeria — November 4, 2026
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has directed that a warning letter be issued to Justice Bello Kawu of the Federal Capital Territory High Court after finding merit in a petition over his decision to grant interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation Abubakar Malami.
The Council said Justice Kawu granted the bail on December 23, 2025, despite a subsisting remand order issued by another judge of the same court. That order was due to expire at midnight on December 24, 2025.
The NJC also placed Justice Kawu on its Watch List. Its statement did not explain the list’s criteria, how long the judge will remain on it, or what consequences may follow.
NJC says judge knew of existing order
The decision followed an investigation by an NJC Investigation Committee into a petition concerning Justice Kawu’s handling of the matter.
At its 112th meeting on November 3, 2026, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Council considered and adopted the committee’s findings, according to an NJC statement issued the following day.
The Council said the committee found that Justice Kawu knew another judge had issued a remand order for Malami and that the order remained in force when he granted interim bail.
“Council found merit in a petition against Justice Kawu over his grant of an interim bail to former Attorney-General of the Federation, Mr. Abubakar Malami, SAN, despite a subsisting remand order issued by another Judge of the same court,” the NJC said.
The Council added that the committee found the bail decision conflicted with the earlier order.
Council orders warning and Watch List placement
After reviewing the investigation report, the NJC directed that Justice Kawu receive a warning letter and be placed on its Watch List.
The announcement identifies the disciplinary measures but provides no further detail about the committee’s evidence, the judge’s response to the petition, or the NJC’s reasoning on the appropriate sanction. The statement also does not say whether the warning or Watch List placement affects Justice Kawu’s duties or future judicial assignments.
Key dates in the Council’s account
The NJC’s account places the two court orders within a narrow timeframe: the remand order was due to expire at midnight on December 24, 2025, while Justice Kawu granted interim bail on December 23—before the stated expiry.
The Council’s finding centres on the existence of the earlier order and its assertion that Justice Kawu knew about it. The statement does not provide the underlying court documents or the full circumstances in which the interim-bail application was heard.
The NJC has imposed a warning and Watch List placement after concluding that Justice Kawu granted interim bail while another judge’s remand order remained in force. The Council has not publicly set out the Watch List’s practical implications or provided further details of the investigation, leaving those aspects of the disciplinary decision unclear.
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