The National Judicial Council (NJC) has taken decisive action against several judges, compulsorily retiring nine judges in Imo State for falsifying their ages to extend their service. The tenth judge, Theophilus Nzeukwu, was also retired for illegally assuming the role of acting chief judge despite not being the most senior.
Nine of the affected judges were found to have deliberately altered their birth dates in official records. The NJC statement highlighted that this was done “in order to confer on themselves the undue advantage of staying longer in service.”
The tenth judge, Theophilus Nzeukwu, was sanctioned for allowing himself to be sworn in as acting chief judge of the Imo State High Court. This action was deemed illegal because he was the fourth most senior judge in the hierarchy, a clear violation of Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The retired judges include High Court: M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi.
Customary Court of Appeal: Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe.
The NJC also reiterated its previous instruction to Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, directing him to swear in the most senior judge in the state as the acting chief judge.
In addition to the Imo State judges, the NJC imposed sanctions on other judicial officers for various misconducts: Isaac J. Essien (National Industrial Court): Barred from promotion to a higher court for three years. This decision stemmed from his wrongful order to confiscate over N1 billion belonging to the Nasarawa State government and its local government councils, despite knowing about a pending appeal and stay of execution application.
The NJC also noted his refusal to recuse himself despite concerns about bias, especially given he was a former staff member of the State University that owed him gratuity, which he had previously demanded using court letterhead. Rahman Oshodi (Lagos High Court): Cautioned for misuse of judicial discretion. Daniel Okungbowa (Chief Judge of Edo State): Cautioned for abuse of judicial discretion and advised to exercise discretion judiciously in the future.
G. B. Okolosi (Delta State High Court): Issued a final warning for “continued flouting” of Section 294 (1) of the 1999 Constitution. Sa’adatu Mark (Federal High Court): Cautioned for delivering judgment after the constitutionally permissible 90 days.
The NJC also reviewed 30 petitions against various judicial officers. Four committees were established for further investigation, four judges received cautions, and 22 petitions were dismissed due to lack of merit.
Finally, the council recommended Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye for appointment as Chief Judge of Ekiti State and Abba Mammadi as Grand Kadi of Yobe State.
