NJC Recommends Two Judges for Compulsory Retirement, Suspends Two Others

The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has recommended two Heads of Court for compulsory retirement over judicial misconduct.

The council, at its 107th meeting held November 13 and 14, 2024, recommended the duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, for compulsory retirement for falsification of age.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, on Friday in Abuja.

According to the statement, the council found that Kadi had three different dates of birth (December 10, January 28 and July) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.

The findings of the council also revealed that Justice Chikeka has two different dates of birth: October 27, 1956 and October, 27 1958.

“However, 27 October 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 27 October 1958,” the statement read.

The council also suspended two judicial officers from office for one year without pay and placed them on “Watch-List” for two years.

Specifically, the council suspended Justice G. C. Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State from performing judicial functions for one year without pay and also placed him on a “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.

Likewise, Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court was suspended from performing judicial functions for one year without pay and placed on “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.

The statement disclosed that the council considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, and empanelled six committees for further investigation, while 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.

The statement read, “The Council also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.

“The council also empanelled a Committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.

“The council’s findings revealed that Justice G. C. Aguma committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State. Click to read more on Punch