In the Matter of Hon. Ademiluyi

• Court: Court of Appeals of Maryland
• Decided: May 6, 2024
• Docket: 2jdpc/23
• Status: Published

Opinion

Argued: May 6, 2024

IN THE SUPREME COURT

OF MARYLAND

J D No. 2

September Term, 2023 ______________________________________

IN THE MATTER OF THE HONORABLE APRIL T. ADEMILUYI, JUDGE OF THE CIRCUIT COURT OF MARYLAND FOR PRINCE GEORGE’S COUNTY, 7TH JUDICIAL CIRCUIT ______________________________________

Watts Booth Biran Gould Eaves, Raker, Irma S. (Senior Justice, Specially Assigned) Hotten, Michele M. (Senior Justice, Specially Assigned)

JJ. ______________________________________

PER CURIAM ______________________________________

Filed: May 6, 2024

*Fader, C.J., did not participate in this matter. * IN THE IN THE MATTER * OF THE HONORABLE SUPREME COURT APRIL T. ADEMILUYI, JUDGE OF * THE CIRCUIT COURT OF OF MARYLAND MARYLAND FOR PRINCE * GEORGE’S COUNTY, 7TH JD No. 2 JUDICIAL CIRCUIT * September Term, 2023 * PER CURIAM ORDER

WHEREAS, the Maryland Commission on Judicial Disabilities, pursuant to

Maryland Rule 18-435(c), referred to this Court its findings, conclusions of law, and

recommendation, along with the record, in In the Matter of the Honorable April T.

Ademiluyi, Judge of the Circuit Court of Maryland for Prince George’s County, 7th

Judicial Circuit, Case No. CJD 2022-079, for the Court’s consideration pursuant to

Maryland Rule 18-437;

WHEREAS, this Court has considered the Findings of Fact, Conclusions of Law,

Order and Recommendations filed by the Commission, “Respondent Judge April T.

Ademiluyi’s Exceptions to Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Recommendations,”

“Respondent Judge April T. Ademiluyi’s Memorandum of Law in Support of Exceptions

to Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Recommendations,” “The Maryland Commission on

Judicial Disabilities’ Response to Respondent Judge April T. Ademiluyi’s Exceptions to

Findings of Fact, Conclusions, and Recommendations,” and the parties’ arguments at a

hearing before this Court on May 6, 2024; WHEREAS, Judge Ademiluyi’s exceptions are overruled and the Commission’s

conclusions that Judge Ademiluyi violated Maryland Rules 18-101.1 (Compliance with the

Law), 18-101.2 (Promoting Confidence in the Judiciary), 18-102.2 (Impartiality and

Fairness), 18-102.3 (Bias, Prejudice, and Harassment), 18-102.5 (Competence, Diligence,

and Cooperation), 18-102.8(b) (Decorum, Demeanor, and Communication with Jurors),

18-102.9 (Ex Parte Communications), 18-102.11 (a)(4) and (c) (Disqualification), 18-

102.16(a) (Cooperation with Disciplinary Authorities), and 18-104.4(a), (b), and (d)

(Political Conduct of a Candidate for Election) of the Maryland Code of Judicial Conduct

are upheld;

WHEREAS, Maryland Rule 18-437(f)(1) provides that this Court may impose the

disposition recommended by the Commission or any other disposition permitted by law;

WHEREAS, Article IV, § 4B(b)(1) of the Constitution of Maryland provides that,

upon any recommendation of the Commission, this Court, after a hearing and upon a

finding of misconduct while in office, or of persistent failure to perform the duties of the

office, or of conduct prejudicial to the proper administration of justice, may remove the

judge from office;

WHEREAS, this Court has carefully considered the Commission’s

recommendation and has concluded that, based on the egregious nature of the misconduct

in this case, removal pursuant to Article IV, § 4B(b)(1) is the appropriate disposition;

Now, therefore, for reasons to be stated in an opinion later to be filed, it is this 6th

day of May 2024,

2 ORDERED, by the Supreme Court of Maryland, that, effective immediately, April

T. Ademiluyi is hereby removed from office as Judge of the Circuit Court for Prince

George’s County, Maryland.

/s/ Shirley M. Watts Senior Justice

*Chief Justice Fader did not participate in consideration of this matter.