The National Judicial Council (NJC) has sacked 10 judges in Imo State over allegations of age falsification and other unethical practices.
The action, taken after the Council’s 109th meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, exposed serious violations within the judiciary.
According to the NJC, the affected judges were found to have altered their official birth records to illegally extend their stay on the bench.
This kind of falsification of age, especially by people tasked with upholding the law, has been described by many as a deep betrayal of public trust.
It calls into question the integrity of court rulings delivered during the period of misconduct.
The dismissed judges include Justices M.E. Nwagboso, B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Chinyere Ngozi Okereke, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi from the High Court, and Justices Tennyson Nze, Uchenna Ofoha, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe from the Customary Court of Appeal.
Furthermore, Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was also removed for presenting himself as acting Chief Judge of Imo State despite being fourth in seniority.
The NJC stressed that this violated Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
“The Council reiterated its directive to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to swear in the most senior judge as acting Chief Judge,” the statement added.
Meanwhile, Justice V.U. Okorie, who chaired the commission that nominated Nzeukwu, was cleared of wrongdoing after it was confirmed he had officially disagreed with the nomination.
The NJC did not stop with Imo State. Across other courts, Hon. Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court was barred from elevation for three years.
His offenses included issuing a confiscation order on N1 billion while a related appeal and stay of execution were pending.
Additionally, he was found to have used official court letterhead for personal gain, and even visited a registry to confirm a pending appeal moves the NJC labelled as “grossly inappropriate.”
Other judges received lighter punishments. Justice Rahman A. Oshodi, Justice Daniel Okungbowa, Justice G.B. Okolosi, and Justice Sa’adatu I.
However, not all petitions led to punishment. Justice M.A. Ikpambese, Chief Judge of Benue State, was cleared of allegations.
The Council also dismissed petitions against four other judges, including Justice A.M. Liman and Justice Binta Fatima Nyako, citing lack of merit or withdrawn cases.
In a positive step forward, the NJC recommended 21 candidates for judicial appointment in several states.
Among them are Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye as Chief Judge of Ekiti and Kadi Abba Mammadi as Grand Kadi of Yobe.
Also, Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar, Esq. was recommended as the new Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
The NJC confirmed that it received 86 public comments on the shortlisted names, with 73 being favorable.
“Of the 13 negative comments, five were dismissed due to procedural defects,” the Council noted.
In another bold move, the NJC has blacklisted a known serial petitioner, Peter N. Ekemezie, from submitting future complaints.
This sweeping action by the NJC sends a loud message that no one, not even judges, is above the law.
