From Aniekan Aniekan, Calabar
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has confirmed receipt of a petition against Justice B.T. Ebuta of the Cross River State High Court, alleging misconduct and abuse of office.
In its acknowledgment letter dated April 10, 2025, with Reference No. NJC/S.4/ANA.HC/7/11/24 and signed by Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, Chief Justice of Nigeria and Chairman, NJC, it confirmed that it is taking action on the petition, which accuses the judge of abuse of office conduct unbecoming of a judicial officer.
The petition, filed by Ntoe Paul Assim Ita, Clan head of Nkonib Ikot Ansa Qua , accused Justice Ebuta of refusing to recuse himself from a case despite having a personal interest in the matter.
According to the petition, Justice Ebuta had previously declined to set aside a consent judgment in a related case, citing prior involvement.
However, when a new case (Suit No. HC/86/2024) was assigned to him, he refused to recuse himself despite allegations of bias and personal interest. The petitioner alleged that Justice Ebuta has a personal stake in the land in dispute, having received gifts of land from one of the claimants.
The NJC, led by Chief Justice of Nigeria and NJC Chairman, Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, has informed the petitioner that the matter is under review.