In a major disciplinary move, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has ordered the immediate and compulsory retirement of nine judges from the Imo State judiciary after uncovering clear evidence of age falsification aimed at prolonging their stay in office. The decision was taken during the Council’s 109th plenary session held on 25th June 2025, and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun.
The development was disclosed in an official statement released on Thursday by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe. According to the statement, the affected judicial officers were found to have deliberately altered their dates of birth in official records — a violation that the Council described as a grave abuse of judicial integrity and public trust.
“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 NJC noted.
In addition to the nine, another judge, Hon. Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu, was sanctioned for his involvement in a constitutional breach after allowing himself to be sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, despite being fourth in judicial hierarchy. The Council stated that Nzeukwu’s action was in clear contravention of Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution, which stipulates that the most senior judge in the state’s judiciary should be appointed in such circumstances.
The judges affected by the NJC’s retirement directive include M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi (all of the High Court); as well as Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe from the Customary Court of Appeal.
The NJC also reiterated its earlier communication to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, urging him to comply with the constitutional requirement by appointing the most senior judge in the state as the Acting Chief Judge, pending substantive appointment.
Furthermore, during its latest session, the Council reviewed 30 petitions against various judges across the country. Following preliminary assessments, it dismissed 22 petitions for lacking merit, cautioned four judges, and established four investigative panels to probe more serious allegations. Notable among those cautioned was Hon. Justice Rahman Oshodi of the Lagos High Court, for judicial overreach in Suit No. ID/232/53C/23.
Similarly, Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa, Chief Judge of Edo State, was cautioned over improper use of discretion in Suit No. B1/555/2020. Justice G. B. Okolosi of the Delta State High Court received a final warning for persistent violations of Section 294(1) of the Constitution, which mandates timely delivery of judgments. Justice Sa’adatu Mark of the Federal High Court was also cautioned for exceeding the constitutionally permitted 90-day window for judgment delivery.
In a separate development, the NJC approved and recommended 21 individuals for appointment into various judicial positions across Nigeria, including two judges for the Cross River State High Court: Edu Glory Bassey and Irem Melody Bassey; three judges for the Ogun State High Court: Ojikutu Adebayo Julius, Adewole Adejumoke Oluwatoyin, and Adebo Oluyemisi Olukemi; and three judges for Zamfara State High Court: Garba Sirajo Aliyu, Bashir Rabi, and Abdullahi Nasiru.
Also recommended were three Kadis for the Zamfara State Sharia Court of Appeal: Ibrahim Jibril, Muhammed Sanusi Magami, and Shaa’ban Mansur; one Kadi for Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal: Badamasi Kabir Adam; and one judge for the Ebonyi State Customary Court of Appeal: Ogodo Lynda Nneka.
Additionally, four judges were recommended for the High Court of Katsina State: Dikko Fadila Muhammad, Abdulrahman Shamsudden Yammama, Abdullahi Maryham Umaru, and Mohammed Abubakar Dikko.
The Council also endorsed Hon. Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye for appointment as Chief Judge of Ekiti State, and Abba Mammadi as Grand Kadi of Yobe State. For a federal appointment, the NJC recommended Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar to President Bola Tinubu for confirmation as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).
This sweeping set of disciplinary actions and new appointments reflects the NJC’s sustained efforts to uphold the credibility, transparency, and constitutional integrity of Nigeria’s judiciary.
