In a resounding judicial vindication, the Federal High Court in Uyo has upheld interim orders issued by Hon. Justice Jane Inyang in a protracted foreclosure dispute involving Keystone Bank and Stratas Resources Ltd., raising fresh concerns over her controversial suspension by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Federal High Court Judgment Vindicates Justice Jane Inyang Over Keystone Bank Foreclosure Dispute

…as legal luminaries call on NJC to revisit Udeme Esset’s false petition

By Emmanuel Ufon

In a landmark ruling delivered on Friday, July 18, 2025, the Federal High Court No. 2 sitting in Uyo issued a definitive judgment affirming the legality of interim orders earlier granted by Hon. Justice Jane Inyang in a long-running foreclosure dispute between Keystone Bank and Stratas Resources Ltd. The decision not only confirms the procedural soundness of Justice Inyang’s actions but also casts serious doubt on the legitimacy of her one-year suspension imposed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) in 2024.

The case, registered as SUIT No: FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, stems from a 2002 loan obtained by Stratas Resources Ltd.—a company owned by Mr. Udeme Esset—from the now-defunct Habib Bank, which has since become Keystone Bank. The loan was secured with a Deed of Legal Mortgage over a petrol station located along Ekid Itam, Ikot Ekpene Road, Akwa Ibom State.

After years of default in repayment, Keystone Bank, exercising its rights under the mortgage, appointed a Receiver Manager who took lawful possession of the property and subsequently sold it to Grandberg Enterprise Ltd., following interim orders from the Federal High Court. These orders were issued by Justice Jane Inyang, then a judge of the Federal High Court and now elevated to the Court of Appeal.

In a move that sparked controversy within judicial circles, Mr. Udeme Esset filed a petition with the NJC, alleging misconduct by Justice Inyang and Justice Dr. I. J. Essien of the National Industrial Court—a judge with no ties to the case or property. While the NJC dismissed the petition against Justice Essien for lacking merit, it controversially suspended Justice Inyang for one year, a decision now being fiercely scrutinized in light of the court’s ruling.

Delivering judgment, Hon. Justice Onah affirmed that the interim orders issued by Justice Inyang were lawful and properly grounded within the framework of foreclosure proceedings. The court found no impropriety in her actions and explicitly upheld her authority in granting the orders that facilitated the property transfer.

Legal representatives for Keystone Bank and the Receiver Manager welcomed the decision. “This judgment validates the foreclosure process and the legal competence with which Justice Inyang handled the case. The NJC must now take a hard look at the basis for her suspension,” one of the attorneys remarked to journalists after the court session.

The ruling also puts Mr. Udeme Esset’s conduct under renewed scrutiny. He is currently facing 18 criminal charges before the Akwa Ibom State High Court, including the issuance of eight bounced cheques to Keystone Bank and allegedly orchestrating an assault involving suspected cult members on a security guard stationed at the foreclosed property.

In a related matter, Justice I. J. Essien has filed a defamation suit against Esset following false claims published in the Global Concord Newspaper—allegations suggesting that Essien purchased the foreclosed petrol station. The NJC has categorically dismissed the publication’s claims as unfounded. Verified documentation confirms that Grandberg Enterprise Ltd., an unrelated third-party buyer, acquired the property.

As of press time, the full certified judgment by Hon. Justice Onah has not yet been released to the public, but legal observers expect it to further reinforce the principles of judicial independence and lawful enforcement of mortgage agreements.

The judgment is being hailed by members of the legal community as a major step toward restoring public confidence in the judiciary. It also reignites calls for the NJC to adopt a more rigorous and impartial process when addressing petitions that could derail judicial careers.

“The NJC’s disciplinary powers must be exercised with great caution,” said a senior advocate familiar with the matter. “Judges should not be penalized based on politically motivated or factually baseless petitions.”

This ruling not only vindicates Justice Jane Inyang but also serves as a critical reminder of the need to protect the judiciary from abuse and manipulation particularly when judges act in accordance with established law.