The National Judicial Council (NJC), led by Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has compulsorily retired 10 judges in Imo State for falsifying their ages and violating ethical standards. The decision followed the Council’s 109th meeting on Thursday.
Judges Affected;
High Court Judges: M. E. Nwagboso; B. C. Iheka; K. A. Leaweanya; Chinyere Ngozi Okereke; Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi
Customary Court of Appeal Justices: Tennyson Nze; Uchenna Ofoha; Everyman Eleanya; Rosemond Ibe
In addition, Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu was dismissed for violating Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution by positioning himself for the acting Chief Judge appointment despite being fourth in seniority.
The NJC reaffirmed its directive to Governor Hope Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judge as acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
It also exonerated Justice V. U. Okorie, who presided over the nomination panel and officially dissented from Nzeukwu’s nomination.
The NJC has proposed 21 new judicial appointments, including:
Chief Judge of Ekiti State: Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye
Grand Kadi of Yobe State: Kadi Abba Mammadi
Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal: Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar, Esq.
High courts and Sharia courts in Cross River, Ogun, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Katsina were also included—naming specific nominees for each jurisdiction.
As part of its April 2025 transparency policy, the NJC received 86 public comments on shortlisted candidates:
73 favorable
13 unfavorable, of which 5 were dismissed for procedural issues
Separately, Hon. Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court has been banned from promotion for three years due to multiple infractions, including issuing a confiscation order on ₦1 billion belonging to Nasarawa State during a pending appeal, misusing official letterhead, and personally verifying a pending appeal at the court registry.
The NJC described his behavior as “grossly inappropriate.”
Additional sanctions included:
Justice Rahman A. Oshodi (Lagos): caution for misusing discretion
Justice Daniel Okungbowa (Edo): warning for discretion abuse
Justice G. B. Okolosi (Delta): final warning for repeated Constitutional breaches
Justice Sa’adatu I. Mark (Federal High Court): caution for delayed judgment
Petitions against four other judges—Justices A. M. Liman, S. A. Amobeda, Muhammad Auwal Haruna, and Binta Fatima Murtala Nyako—were dismissed, either due to lack of merit or voluntary withdrawal.
The NJC also cleared Justice M. A. Ikpambese, Chief Judge of Benue State, of any wrongdoing.
However, the Council will refer Attorney-General Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for alleged interference with judicial independence.
Meanwhile, persistent petitioner Peter N. Ekemezie has been blacklisted from submitting further complaints.
Finally, the Council accepted the voluntary retirements of Justices Babatunde Ademola Bakre (Ogun High Court) and H. O. Ajayi (Kwara High Court).
