JCIO 33/25

   

A spokesperson for the Judicial Conduct Investigations Office said:

Mr Justice Keehan, on behalf of the Lady Chief Justice and with the Lord Chancellor’s agreement, has issued Mr Joe Bangudu JP, a magistrate on the Greater Manchester bench, with a reprimand for serious misconduct.

Facts

Magistrates sign a declaration and undertaking on appointment, which includes an agreement to promptly notify their bench chair of any involvement in proceedings and their outcome.

An investigation was conducted in accordance with the Judicial Conduct (Magistrates) Rules 2023 after the North West Conduct Advisory Committee became aware that Mr Bangudu had failed to promptly report his involvement in proceedings to his bench chair. He informed his bench chair three months after the proceedings were initiated. Those proceedings were later discontinued.

Mr Bangudu’s representations

Mr Bangudu accepted that he did not promptly notify his bench about his involvement in the proceedings and explained that the delay was in part due to being personally affected by the situation. Mr Bangudu accepted responsibility and showed genuine remorse

Nominated Committee Member’s findings

A nominated committee member of the North West Conduct Advisory Committee found that in failing to report his involvement in these proceedings, Mr Bangudu had breached his declaration and undertaking. The nominated committee member found that this amounted to serious misconduct and recommended that Mr Bangudu be issued with a reprimand. In mitigation, the nominated committee member took into account the difficult circumstances faced by Mr Bangudu at the time.

Decision

Mr Justice Keehan and the Lord Chancellor agreed with the findings and recommendation of the nominated committee member and issued Mr Bangudu with a reprimand. In making this decision, they took into consideration that Mr Bangudu had accepted responsibility for his actions, had shown genuine remorse and had no previous findings of misconduct against him. 
 

Notes for Editors

Media queries in relation to the JCIO should be made in the first instance to the Judicial Press Office - telephone 020 7073 4852 or via email - press.enquiries@judiciary.gsi.gov.uk 

Sanctions for misconduct by judicial office-holders are set out in the Constitutional Reform Act 2005. They are, in order of severity: formal advice, formal warning, reprimand and removal from office.

For more information about the Office, including details on how to make a complaint against a judicial office holder, you can visit the JCIO website at: Judicial Conduct Investigations website