NJC Compulsorily Retires 10 Imo Judges Over Age Falsification, Ethical Breaches
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has ordered the compulsory retirement of 10 judges in Imo State for falsifying their ages and breaching judicial ethics.
The decision was reached at the Council’s 109th meeting held in Abuja and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. In a statement released on Thursday, the NJC disclosed that the affected judges had manipulated their official dates of birth to illegally extend their stay on the bench.
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Among those sanctioned are five judges from the Imo State High Court—Justices M.E. Nwagboso, B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Chinyere Ngozi Okereke, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi.
Also affected are four judges of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal—Justices Tennyson Nze, Uchenna Ofoha, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe.
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In a related decision, the NJC also compulsorily retired Justice T.N. Nzeukwu for presenting himself for appointment as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State despite being fourth in line by seniority. The Council described the action as a clear violation of Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which prescribes the procedure for such appointments.
The NJC reaffirmed its commitment to upholding judicial integrity and warned that it would not tolerate acts of misconduct or abuse of office by judicial officers.