The NJC also handed down disciplinary measures against some judges, including the suspension of Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court for one year without pay over judicial misconduct.
By Ife Osemedua
365Daily – The National Judicial Council (NJC) has sanctioned 256 judicial officers over various performance-related infractions and recommended the appointment of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal to President Bola Tinubu.
The decisions were reached at the Council’s 111th meeting held on Wednesday under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The Council also approved a policy affirming that retired public servants are eligible for judicial appointments, describing the position as consistent with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
Among those recommended for appointment to the Court of Appeal are Justices Yakubu Abdulhammeed Mohammed, Ajuwa Raphael, Abua Ojie, Ijohor Mbalamen Jennifer, Shuaibu Bala, Omotosho James, Nwite Emeka, Buba Njane, Kado Sanusi, Ademola Enikuomehin and Dadom Julcit Veronica.
The NJC also handed down disciplinary measures against some judges, including the suspension of Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court for one year without pay over judicial misconduct.
The Council said the sanction followed a petition filed by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma in relation to suit No: NSD/MG56M/2025, accusing the judge of granting an ex parte order directing the transfer of N7 million from her bank account to a third party as a purported reversal of funds.
According to the NJC, the action violated Rules 3.1, 3.3 and 3.5 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
Similarly, Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was suspended for one year without pay over allegations of breach of fair hearing in a matrimonial dispute.
The disciplinary action stemmed from a petition by Mr. Sunday Emmanuel Oso concerning suit No: FCT/HC/PET/529/2024 between Lateef Adeola Oso and Sunday Emmanuel Oso.
On the crisis in the Imo State judiciary, the Council extended the acting appointment of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of the state for another three months, from March 26 to June 26, 2026, pending the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge.
The NJC also rejected appeals by eight judges seeking to overturn their compulsory retirement over alleged age falsification, holding that they failed to provide fresh evidence to justify a review of the sanctions.
The affected judges are Justices B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and J.N. Nzeukwu.
The judges were among 10 judicial officers recommended for compulsory retirement at the Council’s 109th meeting held on June 25, 2025.
According to the NJC, nine of them were found to have altered their dates of birth to unlawfully extend their years in service, while Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was sanctioned for 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 1999 Constitution.
The Council, however, reinstated Justice T.I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal after a review committee accepted fresh evidence presented by him as authentic.
The NJC urged the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to fast-track the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge to promote stability and strengthen judicial independence in the state.
Meanwhile, the Council dismissed a petition against Justice Charles N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court over alleged misconduct linked to the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis.
It said the allegations, filed by Daniel Chibuzor Amadi, were unsubstantiated and recommended that the petitioner be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) for disciplinary action over what it described as reckless allegations unsupported by evidence.
The Council also considered reports on 98 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees.
Of the petitions reviewed, 68 were dismissed for lacking merit, four judges were cautioned, one judge received a final warning, while 11 petitions were slated for further investigation.