NJC Retires 10 Imo Judges Over Age Falsification, Sanctions Others for Misconduct

In a sweeping crackdown on judicial misconduct, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has ordered the compulsory retirement of 10 judges in Imo State over age falsification and other ethical violations.

Following its 109th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Council disclosed that five judges from the Imo State High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal manipulated their official dates of birth to unlawfully prolong their tenure on the bench.

The affected judges include Justices M.E. Nwagboso, B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Chinyere Ngozi Okereke, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi from the High Court; and Justices Tennyson Nze, Uchenna Ofoha, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe from the Customary Court of Appeal.

Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was also compulsorily retired for violating Section 271(4) of the Constitution by accepting appointment as acting Chief Judge despite being only fourth in seniority. The NJC reiterated its earlier order for Governor Hope Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judge as acting Chief Judge.

Meanwhile, the Council cleared Justice V.U. Okorie, President of the Imo Customary Court of Appeal, who had dissented from the nomination of Nzeukwu.

Beyond Imo, the NJC recommended 21 new judicial appointments across several states. Notably, Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye was nominated as Chief Judge of Ekiti State, while Kadi Abba Mammadi was tapped as Grand Kadi of Yobe. Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar, Esq., was also recommended as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Other appointments span Cross River, Ogun, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Katsina states, with nominees for High Courts, Sharia Courts, and Customary Courts of Appeal.

As part of its transparency drive, the Council said it received 86 public comments on the shortlisted candidates under its April 2025 open review policy. While 73 submissions were favourable, five of the 13 objections were deemed invalid.

The NJC also imposed disciplinary measures on several other judges:

Justice Isaac J. Essien (National Industrial Court) was barred from elevation for three years due to unauthorized confiscation orders and inappropriate use of court resources for personal gain.

Justice Rahman A. Oshodi (Lagos) and Justice Daniel Okungbowa (Edo) were cautioned and warned respectively for misuse of discretion.

Justice G.B. Okolosi (Delta) received a final warning over repeated delays in delivering judgments.

Justice Sa’adatu I. Mark (Federal High Court) was reprimanded for exceeding the constitutional 90-day judgment window.

Petitions against Justices A.M. Liman, S.A. Amobeda, Muhammad Auwal Haruna, and Binta Fatima Murtala Nyako were dismissed, while Justice M.A. Ikpambese of Benue was exonerated.

The NJC also reported Benue State’s Attorney-General, Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim, to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for alleged attempts to manipulate the judiciary.

Additionally, a serial petitioner, Peter N. Ekemezie, was blacklisted from future complaints due to persistent abuse of the petition process.

Finally, the NJC accepted the voluntary retirements of Justices Babatunde Ademola Bakre (Ogun) and H.O. Ajayi (Kwara), marking a comprehensive overhaul in the nation’s judiciary ranks.