Popular Nigerians Activist Petitions Nigerian Judicial Council Over Alleged Misconduct, Corruption In Federal High

He claimed that the letter — used to discredit his court-approved surety — was never formally filed or served on his legal counsel, thereby violating court procedures and undermining the principle of fair hearing.

Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, a renowned human rights defender and child rights advocate, has petitioned the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) over alleged judicial misconduct, corruption, abuse of court process, and violations of his fundamental rights in a pending criminal case at the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division.

In a petition dated June 17, 2025, and officially acknowledged by the NJC, Aghogho is calling for urgent intervention and disciplinary action against two federal judges — Hon. Justice M.I. Sani (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal) and Hon. Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa of the Warri Division — over what he described as a calculated judicial conspiracy in Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022: Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho.

Aghogho alleged that on April 18, 2024, Justice M.I. Sani unlawfully inserted into court records a “fraudulent and unfiled” letter dated April 8, 2024, purportedly written by Mr. J.A. Amahi, a counsel from the Delta State Ministry of Justice.

The act was facilitated by the Deputy Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court, Warri, Mr. Pius Iorzua, who clandestinely smuggled the letter into the record.

This denied his legal team the opportunity to challenge its content, amounting to judicial malpractice and obstruction of justice,” Aghogho wrote.

The petition also named several individuals alleged to be involved in the conspiracy, including Delta State’s Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole (SAN), and prosecutors Mrs. Efe Odogwu Jesin, Mrs. A.L. Aikpokpo Martins, Ms. Modupe Olamide Anthony, Mr. Onojovwo, Mr. J.A. Amahi, and Mr. P.N. Etumudon.

Aghogho, who is also a former Delta State Coordinator of the Take-It-Back Movement and a vocal anti-child trafficking campaigner, is urging the NJC to investigate and discipline the implicated judicial officers and state prosecutors.

According to the petition, “During this same period, DCR Mr. Pius Iorzua, acting through a proxy, Mr. Joshua Okerememta Oletu, extorted ₦500,000 from me in exchange for processing my bail. Despite a lawful application by my former counsel, M.A. Iyoke, Esq., for the release of bail records, the court continues to refuse disclosure — thereby reinforcing the cover-up.

“On June 16, 2025, following the lawful publication by Daily Post Nigeria of *Form 48: Notice of Consequences of Disobedience to Court Order* filed against the Delta State Attorney-General, Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, in collusion with DCR Pius Iorzua, unlawfully revoked my bail — falsely claiming that I had violated bail conditions.”

Aghogho stated, “It is important to note that: The Daily Post publication was lawful — covering a public record under Section 102(a)(iii) of the Evidence Act and Section 260 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act (ACJA) 2015.

“There was no court order prohibiting publication of the document or court proceedings by the media.

“My bail terms only prohibit false publications — no falsehood was ever published in this instance neither was I reponsible for the said publication. The said publication was published by Daily Post under it own byline.

“Despite this, I am presently detained unlawfully in violation of my constitutional rights, with no lawful order, no formal prosecutorial application for bail revocation, and with full knowledge that the State lacks witnesses to prosecute the case.”

The human rights activist explained that immediately after unlawfully revoking his bail on June 16, 2025, Justice H.A. Nganjiwa summoned S.B. Irabor, Police lawyer and prosecution witness, to a private meeting in chambers — in breach of Article 2.8 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of Nigeria.

Prior to this, in open court, Justice Nganjiwa remarked to SP Orawemen Vincent (O/C Legal, Area Command Warri), “Where is Irabor? Tell him I would like to see him.”

After the court briefly rose, S.B. Irabor proceeded directly into the judge’s chambers — a clear violation of judicial ethics and neutrality in a pending trial.

Meanwhile, on June 16, 2025, during resumed hearing before Justice Nganjiwa, when asked: “Where are the witnesses in this case?”, State Counsel Onojovwo, Esq., publicly admitted:

“My Lord, the Investigating Police Officer (IPO) in this matter is dead, and all other witnesses are nowhere to be found.”

“Despite this public admission of prosecutorial incapacity, I remain unlawfully detained — raising grave concerns that my continued incarceration is state sponsored motivated and retaliatory.

“I also respectfully bring to Your Lordship’s attention credible intelligence of an assassination plot targeting me during this unlawful detention — allegedly coordinated by powerful interests who oppose my child rights advocacy and whistleblowing on judicial corruption and child trafficking networks in Delta State.

However, Aghogho, in his prayers, stated the following:”In light of the above, I most humbly seek the following reliefs: Immediate and unconditional release from unlawful detention pending a fair and lawful hearing of my trial.

“Disciplinary action and prosecution of Deputy Controller of Corrections, Mr. Pius Iorzua, for corruption, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice.
“Disciplinary proceedings against the Attorney-General, Mr. Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, and the named prosecutors for gross misconduct and unlawful interference with the judicial process.

“Disciplinary proceedings and an urgent investigation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) against Hon. Justice M.I. Sani (JCA) for grave abuse of court process and judicial corruption.

Activist Aghogho Petitions Nigerian Judicial Council Over Alleged Misconduct, Corruption In Federal High Court Warri

Aghogho demanded for disciplinary proceedings against Hon. Justice H.A. Nganjiwa for judicial misconduct, improper ex parte communication, abuse of authority, and unlawful revocation of bail.

He said a full investigation into the alleged collusion between judicial officers and court registry staff in suit No. FHC/WR/92C/2022 amd urgent intervention by the Federal Government and the NJC to safeguard my life from an ongoing assassination plot.

“This petition is submitted in utmost good faith, in the interest of justice, the integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary, and the protection of my constitutional and fundamental human rights, guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution (as amended) and applicable international human rights instruments.

“I respectfully urge the National Judicial Council under Your Lordship’s leadership to act swiftly and decisively to address these egregious violations of judicial conduct and human rights,” Aghogho added.