By Ono Yima
The Maryland Supreme Court has removed Nigerian-American Judge, April T. Ademiluyi, from the bench following findings of “egregious” misconduct.
In a per curiam order filed Monday, the court stated that the removal was the appropriate course of action due to the severity of Ademiluyi’s behaviour. The reasons behind the decision will be elaborated in a forthcoming opinion.
This decision followed a recommendation by the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities. The commission unanimously found that Ademiluyi had refused training, shown bias towards criminal defendants, and had antagonised staff and colleagues. Despite her counsel’s request to dismiss and seal the case, arguing that Ademiluyi was a victim of retaliation, the Maryland Supreme Court upheld the commission’s findings.
Kendra Jolivet, executive counsel for the commission, emphasised during Monday’s arguments that “Judge Ademiluyi’s conduct was not reflective of the judiciary’s mission to provide fair, efficient, and effective justice for all. In fact, her actions were not fair, not efficient, and did not effectuate justice.”
Ademiluyi’s troubles began when she filed a complaint with the commission, alleging that one of her orders had been altered by another judicial colleague without her consent. Following the complaint, the commission launched an investigation, leading to further charges against her, including allegations of harassing a fellow judge and sharing confidential materials.
Judge Michael R. Pearson, a colleague from the Prince George’s County Circuit Court, testified before the commission that Ademiluyi had sent him unsolicited text messages and emails. These messages reportedly became more personal over time, prompting Pearson to respond that he was not interested in a personal relationship with her.
Ademiluyi’s problem began soon after she became a judge, going by the court and commission documents over issues with other judges.
This took a turn for the worse when Ademiluyi took the first step to file an action before the commission against Sheila Tillerson Adams, who was serving then as the county’s chief administrative judge; and Daneeka Varner Cotton, who is anticipated to take over for Tillerson Adams.
Ademiluyi’s case against Tillerson Adams bothered on forgery of her signature on a ruling she had presided over. From the commission and court documents, she also said that the two were monitoring her emails with intention to sabotage her.
However, Cotton, responding to her complaint with the commission, said that it is “extremely difficult to respond to the blatant falsehoods. I am deeply concerned that a jurist would file such egregious and dishonest allegations,” concluding that “There should be some repercussions for such disregard of the truth.”
Tillerson Adams on her part told the commission that dealing with Ademiluyi had been a “nightmare”
The Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities had initially recommended a censure and a six-month suspension without pay. However, the Maryland Supreme Court found removal to be a more appropriate consequence due to the gravity of the misconduct.
Reacting to the judgment, Ademiluyi said she has already instituted a federal civil lawsuit against those three judges and is optimistic of having her “day in court.”