The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two judges for one year without pay and rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State judiciary compulsorily retired over age falsification.
Penpushing reports that Deputy Director of Information of the council, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe made this known in a statement explaining that the decisions were taken at the council’s 111th meeting held on May 13, 2026 which was chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The judges are B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and T.N. Nzeukwu, while the council however, reinstated a judge of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal after reviewing fresh evidence presented by him.
Penpushing further reports that the council also recommended the appointment of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal, and on the appeal filled by the eight judges, initially suspended, the council said the affected judges failed to present fresh evidence capable of justifying a reversal of the sanctions imposed on them.
The statement added that nine of them were found to have altered their dates of birth in official records to extend their years in service unlawfully, stressing that Nzeukwu was found to have made himself available to be sworn in as acting chief judge despite being fourth in the hierarchy of judges, contrary to Section 271(4) of the Constitution.
Penpushing also reports that the council reinstated T.I. Nze of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal after he presented fresh evidence to the review committee, having found the evidence authentic.
The commission suspended Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the High Court of Nasarawa State for one year without pay over judicial misconduct, while the suspension followed a petition filed by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma concerning proceedings in suit number NSD/MG56M/2025.
Penpushing reports that the petitioner alleged that Shekarau granted an ex parte order directing the transfer of N7 million from her bank account to a third party, and also alleged that the application was filed, heard and granted on the same day without any substantive suit before the court.
The petitioner argued that the order wrongly implied her involvement in fraud despite not being charged or joined in the case, while the council said its committee found that the judge acted in bad faith, failed to observe due process and showed lack of professional competence.
Penpushing further reports that the council equally suspended Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for one year without pay over alleged breach of fair hearing in a matrimonial case.
The decision followed a petition filed by Sunday Emmanuel Oso in suit number FCT/HC/PET/529/2024, between Lateefat Adeola Oso and Sunday Emmanuel Oso, alleged that although he received hearing notices fixing the matter for September 19, 2024, the court heard and granted an ex parte application on September 17, 2024 without notifying him.
Penpushing also reports that he equally alleged that when the matter later came up, the judge declined to hear his motion on notice and instead entertained committal proceedings against him.
The commission stated that its committee found that Okpe granted an ex parte application that led to committal proceedings against the petitioner” without giving him an opportunity to be heard.
Penpushing reports that the National Judicial Council (NJC) declared that the action breached Rule 3.3 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
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