The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of 10 judges in Imo State for various offenses, primarily age falsification. The decision followed the NJC’s 109th meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Nine of the judges were indicted for altering their dates of birth to unlawfully extend their tenure. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu, however, is being retired for accepting appointment as acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in the judicial hierarchy, violating Section 271(4) of the Constitution.
The affected judges include Justice M. E. Nwagboso, Justice B. C. Iheka, Justice K. A. Leaweanya, Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, and Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, all from the High Court. Others are Justice Tennyson Nze, Justice Ofoha Uchenna, Justice Everyman Eleanya, and Justice Rosemond Ibe from the Customary Court of Appeal.
Justice V. U. Okorie, who chaired the commission that nominated Nzeukwu, was cleared as he dissented against the recommendation. The NJC directed Governor Hope Uzodinma to swear in the most senior judge in the state as acting Chief Judge.
Among those exonerated are Justice I. O. Agugua, Justice C. A. Ononeze-Madu, and Justice L. C. Azuama. Justice Vincent Onyeka and Justice Vivian Ekezie were cleared after providing valid explanations for discrepancies in their birth records but must now adhere to the dates submitted to the Council of Legal Education. Four others were absolved after it was confirmed they made changes that worked against their own interest.
In a separate disciplinary case, Justice Isaac Essien of the National Industrial Court was reprimanded and barred from promotion for three years. He was found to have violated multiple judicial codes, including ordering the confiscation of over ₦1 billion belonging to the Nasarawa State Government while an appeal and stay of execution were pending. He was also faulted for using his court’s letterhead to demand gratuity from a former employer and for personally visiting a Court of Appeal registry—actions deemed inappropriate for a judicial officer.
Meanwhile, the NJC has recommended the appointment of 21 new judicial officers after a rigorous selection process. This followed an open call for public input, resulting in 86 responses—73 favourable and 13 adverse, with some of the latter dismissed for lack of sworn affidavits.
Justice Adekanye Ogunmoye was nominated as Chief Judge of Ekiti State, while Kadi Abba Mammadi was recommended as Grand Kadi of Yobe State. Mainasara Kogo Umar was also put forward as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
Other recommended judges include Edu Glory and Irem Melody for Cross River State High Court; Ojikutu Adebayo, Adewole Adejumoke, and Adebo Oluyemisi for Ogun State High Court; and Garba Sirajo, Bashir Rabi, and Abdullahi Nasiru for Zamfara State High Court.
The NJC also recommended three Kadis to the Sharia Court of Appeal in Zamfara, one in Plateau, and one judge for the Customary Court of Appeal in Ebonyi State. In Katsina State, four judges were recommended for the High Court bench.
The Council affirmed its new policy of transparency in judicial appointments and vowed to continue its efforts to uphold judicial integrity and accountability across Nigeria.
