The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the compulsory retirement of nine judges in Imo State for allegedly falsifying their ages to prolong their time in service.
This decision was made during the NJC’s 109th meeting held on June 25, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun. The council’s resolution was disclosed in a statement issued on Thursday by Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, NJC’s Deputy Director of Information.
According to the NJC, the affected judges were found to have altered their official birth records to unlawfully extend their tenure on the bench.
“Nine of the affected judges of the Imo State Judiciary were found to have altered their dates of birth in their official records in order to confer on themselves the undue advantage of staying longer in service,” the statement read.
In addition, Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu was indicted for improperly allowing himself to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, despite being fourth in the judicial hierarchy. The NJC stated that this act violated Section 271 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution.
Judges Affected by the NJC Decision:
- M. E. Nwagboso – High Court
- B. C. Iheka – High Court
- K. A. Leaweanya – High Court
- Okereke Chinyere Ngozi – High Court
- Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi – High Court
- Tennyson Nze – Customary Court of Appeal
- Ofoha Uchenna – Customary Court of Appeal
- Everyman Eleanya – Customary Court of Appeal
- Rosemond Ibe – Customary Court of Appeal
- T. N. Nzeukwu – High Court (illegal appointment as Acting Chief Judge)
The council also reiterated its previous directive to Governor Hope Uzodimma, urging him to swear in the most senior judge in the state as Acting Chief Judge.
Misconduct: Industrial Court Judge Sanctioned
The NJC also barred Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court from promotion for three years. He was found guilty of judicial misconduct for ordering the seizure of over ₦1 billion belonging to the Nasarawa State Government and its local governments, despite a pending appeal and a stay of execution request.
Justice Essien was also criticized for refusing to recuse himself from the case, despite having a personal interest. He had previously worked at a state university involved in the matter and had used the court’s official letterhead to demand his gratuity—a violation of judicial ethics.
Disciplinary Actions and Cautions
The NJC reviewed 30 petitions against various judicial officers. Outcomes included:
Four committees empanelled for further investigation
Four judges cautioned
22 petitions dismissed for lacking merit
Judges cautioned include:
Justice Rahman Oshodi (Lagos High Court) – for misuse of judicial discretion in Suit No. ID/232/53C/23
Justice Daniel Okungbowa (Chief Judge, Edo State) – for improper exercise of discretion in Suit No. B1/555/2020
Justice G. B. Okolosi (Delta State High Court) – issued a final warning for repeated violation of Section 294(1) of the Constitution
Justice Sa’adatu Mark (Federal High Court) – cautioned for delivering judgment beyond the 90-day constitutional limit
New Judicial Appointments Recommended
The NJC also made several recommendations for judicial appointments across states and federal courts:
Chief Judge & Tribunal Chairman
- Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye – Recommended as Chief Judge of Ekiti State
- Abba Mammadi – Recommended as Grand Kadi of Yobe State
- Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar – Recommended as Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT)
List of 18 Recommended Judicial Appointees
High Court Judges – Cross River State:
- Glory Bassey Edu
- Melody Bassey Irem
High Court Judges – Ogun State:
- Adebayo Julius Ojikutu
- Adejumoke Oluwatoyin Adewole
- Oluyemisi Olukemi Adebo
High Court Judges – Zamfara State:
- Sirajo Aliyu Garba
- Rabi Bashir
- Nasiru Abdullahi
Sharia Court of Appeal – Zamfara State (Kadis):
- Jibril Ibrahim
- Sanusi Magami Muhammed
- Shaa’ban Mansur
Sharia Court of Appeal – Plateau State (Kadi):
- Kabir Adam Badamasi
Customary Court of Appeal – Ebonyi State:
- Lynda Nneka Ogodo
High Court Judges – Katsina State:
- Fadila Muhammad Dikko
- Shamsudden Yammama Abdulrahman
- Maryham Umaru Abdullahi
- Abubakar Dikko Mohammed
