The National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, has taken decisive action against judicial misconduct, recommending the compulsory retirement of two Heads of Court and imposing sanctions on several other judicial officers......See Full Story>>.....See Full Story>>
Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, deputy director of information of NJC in a statement on Friday revealed that these decisions were reached at its 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
The Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were found guilty of falsifying their dates of birth and were compulsorily retired
Justice Chikeka was found to have sworn an affidavit in 2006, altering his birth date from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958.
The NJC ordered his retirement with effect from October 27, 2021, and directed him to refund all salaries and allowances earned since that date.
Similarly, Kadi Mahdi was discovered to have three conflicting dates of birth—December 10, January 28, and July, all in 1959. However, his actual birth year was determined to be 1952, meaning he should have retired in 2012. The NJC recommended his compulsory retirement and instructed him to refund salaries and allowances received over the past 12 years.
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 and placed on a two-year watch list.
Justice Aguma was found guilty of aiding a litigant in garnishee proceedings and ignoring a stay of execution order while Justice Nwabunike was sanctioned for breaching judicial conduct rules, including issuing ex parte orders without due process.
NJC issued cautionary letters to Hon. Justice I. A. Jamil and Hon. Justice J. J. Majebi of Kogi State for their handling of sensitive matters.
Several petitions against judicial officers were dismissed for lack of merit. Allegations of bribery involving Hon. Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, were deemed unsubstantiated.
The Council stressed its duty to protect judicial officers from baseless accusations while maintaining accountability for misconduct.
In addition to disciplinary actions, the NJC recommended 36 candidates for judicial appointments across states, including Oyo, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Akwa Ibom, as well as the Sharia and Customary Courts of Appeal. These appointments are expected to strengthen the judiciary and improve its capacity to dispense justice.
The NJC reiterated its zero-tolerance stance on judicial misconduct and warned against frivolous petitions aimed at blackmailing judicial officers. Legal practitioners found guilty of such acts will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee or Privileges Committee for appropriate action.