NJC SACKS 10 JUDGES
The National Judicial Council (NJC), has ordered the compulsory retirement of 10 judges from the Imo State Judiciary.
This decision was made at its 109th meeting held on June 25, 2025
The Judicial Council discovered that nine of them falsified their ages to remain in service longer than allowed.
One judge was also retired for accepting to serve as acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in line.
Those affected include Justices M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Theka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu was also retired for wrongly accepting to act as Chief Judge.
The council, led by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun also recommended 21 individuals for various judicial appointments across the country.
Among them are new Heads of Courts for Ekiti and Yobe states, and a nominee for Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
They are Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye (Ekiti), Kadi Abba Mammadi (Yobe), Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar (Chairman, CCT).
Others include Edu Glory Bassey and Irem Melody Bassey for Cross River State; Adebayo Julius Adewole, Adejumoke Oluwatoyin Adebo, and Oluyemisi Olukemi for Ogun State; Garba Sirajo Aliyu, Bashir Rabi, and Abdullahi Nasiru for the Zamfara State High Court; Ibrahim Jibril, Muhammed Sanusi Magami, and Shaa’ban Mansur for the Zamfara Sharia Court; Badamasi Kabir Adam for the Plateau Sharia Court; Ogodo Lynda Nneka for the Ebonyi Customary Court; and Dikko Fadila Muhammad, Abdulrahman Shamsudden Yammama, Abdullahi Maryham Umaru, and Mohammed Abubakar Dikko for the Katsina High Court.
Meanwhile, the council cleared nine other judges in the state accused of age falsification.
Three were found to have no discrepancies.
They include Justice I. O. Agugua, Justice C. A. Ononeze-Madu and Justice L. C. Azuama.
Two provided satisfactory explanations.
They are Justice Vincent I. Onyeka and Justice Vivian O. B. Ekezie.
Four had corrected their birth records in ways that did not benefit them.
They are Justice P. U. Nodum, Justice Alma Ngozi Eluwa, Justice Matthew Chinedu Ijezie and Justice Ononogbo Chidi Linus.
The NJC maintained its earlier instruction to Governor Hope Uzodinma to swear in the most senior judge as acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice V. U. Okorie, who chaired the nomination panel but opposed the irregular selection of Justice Nzeukwu, was cleared of any wrongdoing.
In a separate case, the NJC barred Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court from any promotion for three years.
He was found guilty of misconduct, including issuing orders to confiscate over N1 billion belonging to Nasarawa State despite an ongoing appeal.
His previous ties to the state university and personal interest in the case raised concerns about his conduct.
The Council also approved the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Ademola Bakre (Ogun) and Justice H. O. Ajayi (Kwara).
The NJC also reviewed 30 petitions from its complaints committees.
Four judges were issued warnings for various acts such as misuse of judicial power or delays in judgment delivery.
Two petitions were thrown out due to lack of merit.
Among those warned were Justice Rahman A. Oshodi over the handling of a Lagos case, and Justice Daniel Okungbowa, Chief Judge of Edo State, for his actions in a suit dating back to 2020.
Justice G. B. Okolosi of Delta State and Justice Sa’adatu I. Mark of the Federal High Court also received cautions for failing to meet constitutional judgment deadlines.
The Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice M. A. Ikpambese, was cleared after the council dismissed three petitions against him.
It ruled that the petitions were attempts to remove him from office and decided to report the State’s Attorney-General, Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim, to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee for his alleged involvement in the plot.
Other petitions against Justices A. M. Liman, S. A. Amobeda, Muhammad Auwal Haruna, and Binta Fatima Murtala Nyako were dismissed.
Some were withdrawn, while others lacked credible claims.
Finally, the NJC blacklisted a persistent petitioner, Peter N. Ekemezie, from submitting future complaints.
