NJC suspends two judges, sacks two heads of courts 

The National Judicial Council (NJC) announced on Friday the compulsory retirement of two Heads of Court after uncovering evidence of age falsification.

The NJC found that the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, had altered their birth dates to extend their time on the bench.

Following these findings, the NJC, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, recommended the immediate retirement of both judges.

The decision was made during the Council’s 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.

The Imo State Chief Judge was recommended for compulsory retirement effective from October 27, 2021, with instructions to refund all salaries and allowances received since that date.

In its statement, issued by Deputy Director (Information) Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the NJC explained that Justice Chikeka presented two different birthdates—October 27, 1956, and October 27, 1958—with the former as the consistent date until an affidavit in 2006 changed it to the latter.

Grand Kadi Mahdi was found to have used three different birthdates (December 10, January 28, and a date in July, all in 1959), though his actual date of birth was established as 1952.

The NJC stated that he should have retired over 12 years ago and has been directed to repay all salaries and allowances received since then.

In addition to these cases, the NJC suspended two other judges for professional misconduct. Justice G. C. Aguma of the Rivers State High Court was suspended for a year without pay and placed on a two-year watch list. He was found to have improperly facilitated garnishee proceedings in his court despite a stay of execution order. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court also faced a year-long suspension without pay and was placed on a two-year watch list. The NJC found that he misinterpreted legal terms and abused his powers by issuing ex parte orders without proper procedures.

The NJC also announced that, after reviewing 30 petitions, it has empaneled six committees for further investigation into complaints, underscoring its commitment to maintaining integrity within the judiciary.