The National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has recommended compulsory retirement for two judges for falsifying their ages, and also suspended two judges over misconduct.
This was revealed in a statement published by the NJC’s Deputy Director (Information), Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, Esq., after the NJC took disciplinary actions against judicial officers for various misconducts following its 107th meeting held on 13–14 November 2024.
Among the sanctions, two Heads of Court were recommended for compulsory retirement over falsification of their ages. According to the NJC, “The Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages.”
The NJC’s findings revealed that Justice Chikeka had two conflicting dates of birth—27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958—while Justice Mahdi presented three inconsistent dates. The Council noted that Mahdi should have retired 12 years ago and directed that both judges refund salaries received during their extended tenure.
Additionally, two judicial officers, Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma of the Rivers State High Court and Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court, were suspended for one year without pay for misconduct. Justice Aguma was found culpable of aiding a litigant in a questionable garnishee proceeding, while Justice Nwabunike violated judicial ethics by granting ex parte orders without proper filings.
The Council also cautioned two other judicial officers, including Hon. Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State, for lapses in handling sensitive cases.
In addressing the backlog of petitions, the NJC noted that 30 complaints were reviewed, with 22 dismissed for lack of merit. The Council emphasised its duty to protect judges from baseless allegations while maintaining accountability. “While the NJC is ready to sanction erring Judicial Officers, it has a duty to protect them against unfounded allegations,” the statement read.
As part of its efforts to strengthen the judiciary, the NJC also recommended the appointment of 36 judges across various states, including Eight judges for the Oyo State High Court, including Opayinka Adeniyi Gabriel and Oyediran Oloyede Semiu, among others; Four judges for the Kebbi State High Court, including Muhammad Kwaido Hassan and Ibrahim Umar Halima; Seven judges for the Sokoto State High Court, including Haruna Dogondaji Mariya and Sahabi Jaredi Hadiza; Six judges for the Akwa Ibom State High Court, including Ekanem James Bassey and Umohandi Mfon Winifred; Seven Kadis for the Sokoto State Sharia Court of Appeal, including Muhammad Abdulazeez Yar’Abba and Lawal Isa Abubakar; Two Kadis for the Kebbi State Sharia Court of Appeal, including Aliyu Kabir SAN and Bello Muhammad Atiku; Two judges for the Oyo State Customary Court of Appeal, namely Oyediran Safiya Amope and Ojekunle Ojeyemi Ademola.
The NJC noted that the candidates, whose appointments were recommended to their respective state governors, are expected to enhance judicial efficiency and promote the dispensation of justice in their jurisdictions.
These actions, the NJC stated, are part of its commitment to uphold judicial integrity and ensure public trust in the judiciary.
Ozioma Samuel-Ugwuezi
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