By Sophia Afolabi
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has ordered the compulsory retirement of nine judges in Imo State for falsifying their ages to unlawfully extend their tenure on the bench.
The judges—five from the High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal—were indicted after an investigation revealed deliberate manipulation of their official dates of birth. The NJC’s sweeping decision was announced on Thursday by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe.
The announcement followed the council’s 109th meeting in Abuja, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The NJC reviewed the findings of its Investigation Committee on 18 judges from the Imo State judiciary.
The affected High Court judges are M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi. From the Customary Court of Appeal, the judges are Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe.
In a related disciplinary action, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu of the Imo State High Court was also recommended for compulsory retirement. He was found guilty of accepting an appointment as acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in the judicial hierarchy, a clear violation of Section 271(4) of the Nigerian Constitution.
While nine judges faced retirement, the NJC cleared another nine accused of similar misconduct. Three judges were exonerated for lack of evidence, while six others were found to have discrepancies arising from genuine corrections or changes made to their disadvantage.
Additionally, the council has recommended 21 candidates for judicial appointments across various states and imposed a three-year promotion ban on a National Industrial Court judge for undisclosed misconduct.
The NJC also announced a new nominee for Chairperson of the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT), signaling ongoing efforts to clean up and strengthen Nigeria’s judiciary.
These bold moves underscore the NJC’s increasing intolerance for ethical breaches within the judicial ranks, as it seeks to reinforce integrity and public confidence in the nation’s justice system.
