The National Judicial Council (NJC) has rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State Judiciary seeking to overturn their compulsory retirement over allegations of age falsification, while also suspending two judges for one year without salary over separate cases of judicial misconduct.
The decisions were reached during the 111th meeting of the Council held on May 13, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement issued by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Oledengbe, the Council said the affected judges failed to present fresh evidence capable of reversing the sanctions earlier imposed on them.
The judges whose appeals were dismissed are Hon. Justice B.C. Iheka, Hon. Justice K.A. Leaweanya, Hon. Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Hon. Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Hon. Justice Ofoha Uchenna, Hon. Justice Everyman Eleanya, Hon. Justice Rosemond Ibe, and Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu.
According to the Council, the judges were among 10 judicial officers recommended for compulsory retirement during the NJC’s 109th meeting held on June 25, 2025.
The NJC explained that nine of the judicial officers were found to have altered their dates of birth in official records in an attempt to unlawfully extend their years in service.
Justice T.N. Nzeukwu, however, was sanctioned for allegedly making 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 Nigerian Constitution.
“The Council found that the affected judges failed to present fresh evidence capable of justifying a reversal of the sanctions imposed on them,” the statement noted.
However, the Council reinstated Hon. Justice T.I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal after a review committee found that he presented authentic and credible fresh evidence.
The NJC also suspended Hon. Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the High Court of Nasarawa State for one year without pay over judicial misconduct linked to the granting of an ex parte order involving the transfer of ₦7 million from a petitioner’s account.
According to the Council, Justice Shekarau breached Rules 3.1, 3.3, and 3.5 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers after granting an order on the same day an application was filed, despite the absence of a substantive suit before the court.
The petitioner, Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma, alleged that the order wrongly portrayed her as being involved in fraud even though she had not been charged with any offence.
After reviewing the matter, the NJC concluded that the judge acted in bad faith, failed to follow due process, and demonstrated professional incompetence.
Similarly, the Council suspended Hon. Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for one year without pay over allegations of denial of fair hearing in a matrimonial dispute.
The NJC found that Justice Okpe granted an ex parte application and proceeded with committal proceedings against the petitioner without giving him an opportunity to be heard, an action the Council ruled violated judicial conduct rules.
Meanwhile, the Council dismissed a petition filed against Hon. Justice Charles N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court over allegations connected to the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis, describing the claims as unsubstantiated and unsupported by evidence.
The NJC also recommended that the petitioner be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for allegedly filing reckless allegations against the judge.
In total, the Council reviewed 98 petitions during the meeting, dismissing 68 for lack of merit. Four judges were cautioned, one judge received a final warning, while 11 petitions were recommended for further investigation.
The NJC also referred several lawyers to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee over alleged frivolous petitions intended to harass judicial officers, while a serial petitioner identified as Yusuf Isa was barred from filing further petitions before the Council.
The Council further announced the retirement of Hon. Justice Hamma Akawu Barka of the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division; Hon. Justice Amina Audi Wambai of the Court of Appeal, Makurdi Division; and Hon. Justice Bello Mohammed Shinkafi of the Zamfara State High Court.
It also expressed condolences over the deaths of three judicial officers — Hon. Justice Godswill Vidal Obomanu of the Rivers State High Court, Hon. Justice Bamidele Folarinle Adeyeye of the Ondo State High Court, and Hon. Justice Yahaya Adamu of the Kogi State High Court.