In the petition dated June 2025, Aghogho accused Hon. Justice M.I. Sani (JCA) and Hon. Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa of violating his constitutional rights in connection with Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022.
A human rights defender and child rights advocate, Comrade Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, has petitioned the Chairman of the National Judicial Council (NJC) and the Chief Justice of Nigeria, seeking urgent disciplinary action against two judges of the Federal High Court, Warri Division, over alleged judicial misconduct, corruption, and abuse of court processes.
In the petition dated June 2025, Aghogho accused Hon. Justice M.I. Sani (JCA) and Hon. Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa of violating his constitutional rights in connection with Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022.
He also named top officials of the Delta State Ministry of Justice and the Deputy Chief Registrar of the court, Mr. Pius Iorzua, in an alleged conspiracy involving falsification of court records, unlawful revocation of bail, and extortion.
According to the petition, a fraudulent letter purportedly authored by a state prosecutor, Mr. J.A. Amahi, and dated April 8, 2024, was unlawfully inserted into court records without due process by Justice M.I. Sani, allegedly to discredit a court-approved surety.
The act, facilitated by the court’s Deputy Chief Registrar, was reportedly done without notice to Aghogho’s legal team.
The petitioner further alleged that he was extorted of ₦500,000 by court officials for bail processing and that his subsequent bail revocation on June 16, 2025, was unjustified.
He maintained that the revocation was retaliatory and based on a lawful publication by the people’s insight, which did not violate any bail condition or court order.
Aghogho claimed that immediately after revoking his bail, Justice Nganjiwa held a private meeting in chambers with a police prosecutor and witness, S.B. Irabor, a move he described as unethical and in violation of judicial conduct codes.
He also cited an open court admission by State Counsel Onojovwo, Esq., who reportedly confirmed the prosecution’s inability to proceed due to the death of the Investigating Police Officer and unavailability of witnesses.
In his petition, Aghogho expressed fear for his life, citing credible intelligence of a targeted assassination plot during his continued detention, allegedly orchestrated by powerful actors opposed to his activism and whistleblowing against child trafficking and judicial corruption.
He is requesting the NJC to investigate the alleged misconduct, order his immediate release, and sanction all judicial and prosecutorial officers involved.
He also called for a full inquiry into court registry practices at the Federal High Court, Warri, and protective measures to guarantee his safety.
The petition read, “I am a Nigerian citizen, child rights advocate, human rights defender, anti-child trafficking campaigner, and former Delta State Coordinator of the Take It Back Movement, respectfully submit this petition to Your Lordship and the distinguished members of the National Judicial Council, seeking urgent intervention in light of continuing judicial misconduct, corruption, unlawful detention, and violations of my fundamental rights in Federal Republic of Nigeria v. Ighorhiohwunu Aghogho, Charge No: FHC/WR/92C/2022, pending at the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division.
“Respondents to this petition are: Honourable Justice M.I. Sani (now a Justice of the Court of Appeal – JCA), and Honourable Justice Hyeladzira Ajiya Nganjiwa of the Federal High Court, Warri Division.”
“On April 18, 2024, a fraudulent and unfiled letter dated April 8, 2024, authored by Mr. J.A. Amahi, Esq. of the Delta State Ministry of Justice, was unlawfully inserted into the court record by Justice M.I. Sani (then sitting as Judge of the Federal High Court, Warri), without proper filing or notice to my counsel, in blatant violation of due process. The false letter maliciously attacked my verified surety, whose standing had already been confirmed by Court Order on March 21, 2024,” Aghogho said.
He alleged that the act was “facilitated by Mr. Pius Iorzua, Deputy Chief Registrar (DCR) of the Federal High Court, Warri, who clandestinely inserted the letter through improper channels, thereby denying my legal team any opportunity for response”.
“This constitutes grave abuse of office, obstruction of justice, and manipulation of court records,” he said.
Regarding the Daily Post publication, Aghogho said the “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”.
He continued, “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 responsible for the said publication. The said publication was published by Daily Post under its 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.
“Immediately after unlawfully revoking my 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.”
Aghogho said 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.
The petition stated, “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,” he said.
He, therefore, called for his “immediate and unconditional release from unlawful detention pending a fair and lawful hearing of my trial”.
He also called for: “Disciplinary action and prosecution against DCR Mr. Pius Iorzua for corruption, conspiracy, and obstruction of justice; disciplinary proceedings against Attorney-General Ekemejero Ohwovoriole, SAN, and the named prosecutors for gross misconduct and unlawful interference with the judicial process; disciplinary proceedings and urgent NJC investigation against: Hon. Justice M.I. Sani (JCA) for grave abuse of court process and judicial corruption; and Hon. Justice H.A. Nganjiwa for judicial misconduct, improper ex parte communication, abuse of authority, and unlawful bail revocation.
In addition, he called for “full investigation into the collusion between judicial officers and court registry staff in FHC/WR/92C/2022” and “Urgent intervention by the Federal Government and the NJC to safeguard my life from the ongoing assassination plot.”
Aghogho added, “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.”
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