As part of efforts at addressing the rot in the judiciary, the National Judicial Council (NJC) responsible for the disciplining of judges has recommended two heads of court for compulsory retirement.
They were found guilty of age falsification allegations and have been recommended to their various state governors for retirement.
According to a statement by NJC’s Deputy Director, Information, Mrs. Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the council took the decision at its 107 meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024, in Abuja.
The meeting was held under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun.
“The Council also recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over falsification of age. The duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were recommended for compulsory retirement for falsification of their ages,” the statement read in part.
According to the statement, Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from October 27, 2021, while all salaries and allowance received in excess from that day till date should be refunded to the Council.
“The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth; October 27, 1956 and October 27, 1958. However, October 27, 1956, appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to October 27, 1958.
“Similarly, Council finds that Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (December 10, January 28 and July 28) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.
“The Council held that Grand Kadi Mahdi committed an act of misconduct in violation of Rule 02908 (i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2021 and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.
“The Council, therefore, resolved to recommend Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi for compulsory retirement to the Governor of Yobe State and that he should refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years,” the statement noted.
Meanwhile, the NJC also as part of efforts at sanitising the judiciary, suspended Justice G. C. Aguma of High Court of Rivers State from performing judicial functions for a period of one year without pay and also placed him on “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.
Also, suspended for one year without pay and placed on “Watch-List” for two years, is Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court.
Both Aguma and Nwabunike were sanctioned for acts of misconduct.
The NJC equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, empanelled six committees for further investigation. While 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice, the statement noted.
While the NJC issued letter of caution to Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State to be more circumspect in handling sensitive matters in the future, it resolved to issue letter of caution to Justice J. J. Majebi, Chief Judge, Kogi State, for assigning a sensitive matter to a junior Judge on the Bench.
Meanwhile, the Council deliberated on four petitions against Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, and dismissed the petitions on grounds that the petitioners failed to substantiate their allegations.
“The Council also finds that the allegations of inducement to the tune of $1 million, a bullet-proof car and gift of a plot of land to Justice Lifu by Chief Emeka Beke, Chairman, All Progressives Congress, (APC), Rivers State were not substantiated in any form,” the NJC held.
The body however stressed that while it is ready to sanction erring Judicial Officers, it has a duty to protect them against unfounded allegations and resolved that Legal Practitioners who by themselves or in collusion with litigants write frivolous petitions to blackmail the Judicial Officers will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) or the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for appropriate action.
Also, at the meeting, the Council recommended 36 candidates for judicial appointment to their various State Governors.
Alex Enumah
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