NJC retires nine Imo judges for age falsification

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the compulsory retirement of 10 judges of the Imo state judiciary.

In a statement on Thursday, the council said nine of the judges falsified their dates of birth while the 10th judge, Theophilus Nzeukwu, was indicted for allowing himself to be sworn in as Imo’s acting chief judge illegally.

“Nine (9) of the affected judges of the Imo state judiciary were found to have altered their dates of birth in their official records in order to confer on themselves the undue advantage of staying longer in service,” the statement reads.

“While the other judicial officer, Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu was found to have made himself available to be sworn in as acting chief judge of Imo state high court knowing fully well that he was number four in the hierarchy of judges of the Imo state judiciary and contrary to Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.”

The affected judges include M. E. Nwagboso (high court), B. C. Iheka (high court), K. A. Leaweanya (high court), Okereke Chinyere Ngozi (High Court), Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi (high court), Tennyson Nze (customary court of appeal), Ofoha Uchenna (customary court of appeal), Everyman Eleanya (customary court of appeal), and Rosemond Ibe (customary court of appeal).

The council reiterated its earlier directive to Hope Uzodimma, Imo governor, wherein he was told to swear in the most senior judge of the state as the acting chief judge.

In further deliberation, the NJC barred Isaac J. Essien, a judge of the National Industrial Court (NIC), from being considered for promotion to a higher court for three years due to misconduct.

“Council found that Hon. justice Essien wrongly ordered the confiscation of over N1 billion belonging to the Nasarawa state government and its local government councils, despite being aware that there was a pending appeal and a pending application for stay of execution,” the statement added.

“Council also noted that he refused to step aside from the case after the Nasarawa state government raised concerns about possible bias.

“Hon. justice Essien was a former staff member of the State University, which owed him gratuity, and he had earlier demanded payment using the official letterhead of the Court — a clear breach of Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.”

The NJC also considered the reports of its preliminary complaints assessment committees, which contained 30 petitions against various judicial officers.

Four committees were empanelled for further investigation, four judges were cautioned, while 22 petitions were dismissed for lacking merit.

The council cautioned Rahman Oshodi, Lagos high court judge, over the misuse of judicial discretion in Suit No. ID/232/53C/23.

Daniel Okungbowa, chief judge of Edo state, was also cautioned over abuse of his judicial discretion in Suit No. B1/555/2020 and was advised to exercise his discretion judicially and judiciously in future.

The council issued a final warning to G. B. Okolosi, justice of the Delta state high court, for “continued flouting” of Section 294 (1) of the 1999 Constitution.

Sa’adatu Mark, justice of the federal high court, received a caution for delivering judgment after the constitutionally permissible 90 days.

The council recommended Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye for appointment as chief judge of Ekiti state and Abba Mammadi as grand kadi of Yobe state.

Similarly, the council recommended Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar to President Bola Tinubu for appointment as chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

Below is a full list of 18 candidates who were recommended for appointment as judges for different jurisdictions.

TWO HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR CROSS RIVER STATE

Edu, Glory Bassey

Irem, Melody Bassey

THREE HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR OGUN STATE

Ojikutu, Adebayo Julius

Adewole, Adejumoke Oluwatoyin

Adebo, Oluyemisi Olukemi

THREE HIGH COURT JUDGES FOR ZAMFARA STATE

Garba, Sirajo Aliyu

Bashir, Rabi

Abdullahi, Nasiru