NJC Sacks 10 Judges Over Age Falsification, Bars Others For Misconduct

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed 10 judges in Imo State from service over falsification of age and unethical practices, as part of sweeping disciplinary actions taken at its 109th meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

The judges, comprising five from the High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal, were found guilty of altering their dates of birth to illegally extend their tenure on the bench. Another judge, Justice T.N. Nzeukwu, was removed for violating the Constitution by submitting himself for appointment as Acting Chief Judge, despite being fourth in line by seniority.

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

The Council restated its position that Governor Hope Uzodinma must swear in the most senior judge as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, in line with constitutional provisions. It also cleared Justice V.U. Okorie, President of the Imo Customary Court of Appeal, who chaired the controversial nomination commission but formally dissented from its decision.

In other matters, the NJC approved the appointment of 21 judges across several states. Notable among them are Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye as Chief Judge of Ekiti State and Kadi Abba Mammadi as Grand Kadi of Yobe State. The Council also recommended Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar for appointment as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

Additional appointments were recommended for courts in Cross River, Ogun, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Katsina states.

The Council said it received 86 public responses to its list of shortlisted judicial nominees, as part of a new transparency initiative introduced in April 2025. Seventy-three responses were favourable, while five of the 13 adverse submissions were dismissed on procedural grounds.

In a separate disciplinary action, the NJC barred Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court from any elevation for three years. He was found guilty of issuing an order confiscating N1 billion belonging to Nasarawa State despite a pending appeal, using official court stationery for personal claims, and personally visiting the registry to verify an appeal, actions the NJC described as highly inappropriate.

Other sanctions issued include:

A caution to Justice Rahman A. Oshodi (Lagos) for misuse of discretion in suit ID/232/53C/23.

A warning to Edo State Chief Judge, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, for abuse of discretion in suit B1/555/2020.

A final warning to Justice G.B. Okolosi (Delta) for repeatedly breaching Section 294(1) of the Constitution regarding judgment delays.

A caution to Justice Sa’adatu I. Mark of the Federal High Court for failure to deliver judgment within the constitutionally mandated 90-day window.

The Council dismissed petitions against four other judges—Justices A.M. Liman, S.A. Amobeda, Muhammad Auwal Haruna, and Binta Fatima Murtala Nyako—for lack of merit or withdrawal by the petitioners.

It also cleared the Chief Judge of Benue State, Justice M.A. Ikpambese, of any wrongdoing in a petition involving the state government, while referring the Attorney-General of Benue State, Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim, to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for attempting to improperly influence the judiciary.