The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the compulsory retirement of 10 judges from the Imo State Judiciary.
According to a press release issued late Thursday, nine of the judges were found to have falsified their dates of birth in an attempt to extend their time in office.
In addition, the Council approved the retirement of Justice T. N. Nzeukwu for accepting to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge of the Imo State High Court, despite being fourth in the judicial seniority ranking of the state.
The Council stated that Justice Nzeukwu’s conduct violated Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
“The nine Judges found to have falsified their records, comprising five (5) High Court Judges and four Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State are: Hon Justice M. E. Nwagboso (High Court), Hon Justice B. C. Iheka (High Court), Hon Justice K. A. Leaweanya (High Court), Hon Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi (High Court), Hon Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi (High Court), Hon Justice Tennyson Nze (Customary Court of Appeal), Hon Justice Ofoha Uchenna (Customary Court of Appeal), Hon Justice Everyman Eleanya (Customary Court of Appeal), Hon Justice Rosemond Ibe (Customary Court of Appeal).”
“Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu was sanctioned for making himself available to be sworn into office as acting Chief Judge of Imo State.”
The NJC also clarified that Justice V. U. Okorie, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, who chaired the commission that nominated Justice Nzeukwu, was not penalized because he officially dissented from the recommendation.
“Council however reiterated its earlier direction to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to swear in the most Senior Judge of the State as the acting Chief Judge.”
The decision was made following the NJC’s review of investigation committee reports on age falsification allegations against 18 judges in Imo State, as well as responses to queries issued to Justices V. U. Okorie and T. N. Nzeukwu.
The Council dismissed similar allegations against three High Court Judges, finding no discrepancies in their dates of birth.
“The Judges whose dates of birth were found to bear no discrepancy are: Hon Justice I. O. Agugua (High Court), Hon Justice C. A. Ononeze-Madu (High Court), Hon Justice L. C. Azuama (High Court).”
“The two Judges given a clean bill of health owing to provision of acceptable explanation for discrepancies in their dates of birth are: Hon Justice Vincent I. Onyeka (High Court), Hon Justice Vivian O. B. Ekezie (High Court).”
“Council directed that Hon. Justice Onyeka and Hon. Justice Ekezie must maintain the date of birth supplied by the Council of Legal Education in their official records.”
“Four other Judges absolved on account that they genuinely corrected their dates of birth to their disadvantage are: Hon Justice P. U. Nnodum (High Court), Hon. Justice Alma Ngozi Eluwa (High Court), Hon. Justice Matthew Chinedu Ijezie (High Court), Hon Justice Ononogbo Chidi Linus (High Court).”
The NJC, led by Chief Justice of Nigeria Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, also made recommendations during its 109th meeting held on June 25.
Among them was the nomination of Mr. Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal and the appointment of two heads of court for Ekiti and Yobe States, respectively.
“The Heads of Court are: Hon. Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye, Chief Judge, Ekiti State and Hon. Kadi Abba Mammadi as Grand Kadi, Yobe State.”
Eighteen other judicial officers were recommended for appointment across several jurisdictions:
Cross River State (2 High Court Judges): Edu, Glory Bassey; Irem, Melody Bassey
Ogun State (3 High Court Judges): Ojikutu, Adebayo Julius; Adewole, Adejumoke Oluwatoyin; Adebo, Oluyemisi Olukemi
Zamfara State (3 High Court Judges): Garba, Sirajo Aliyu; Bashir, Rabi; Abdullahi, Nasiru
Zamfara State (3 Kadis, Sharia Court of Appeal): Ibrahim, Jibril; Muhammed, Sanusi Magami; Shaa’ban Mansur
Plateau State (1 Kadi, Sharia Court of Appeal): Badamasi, Kabir Adam
Ebonyi State (1 Judge, Customary Court of Appeal): Ogodo, Lynda Nneka
Katsina State (4 High Court Judges): Dikko, Fadila Muhammad; Abdulrahman, Shamsudden Yammama; Abdullahi, Maryham Umaru; Mohammed, Abubakar Dikko
The NJC emphasized its new transparency policy, initiated at its 108th meeting in April 2025, which involves publishing shortlisted candidates and inviting public feedback.
Of the 86 public submissions received, 73 were favorable while 13 were critical. Five complaints lacked supporting affidavits and were not considered.
Three complaints relating to the Ekiti State Chief Judge nomination were not reviewed due to a prior Council resolution. Five other complaints regarding judicial appointments in Plateau, Kano, Zamfara, and Katsina were reviewed—four were dismissed, while one led to the disqualification of a candidate.
The Council also approved the voluntary retirement of:
Hon. Justice Babatunde Ademola Bakre (Ogun State High Court)
Hon. Justice H. O. Ajayi (Kwara State High Court)
This was disclosed in a statement signed by NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe.