NJC Sacks 10 Imo Judges Over Age Falsification, Professional Misconduct

–         Mandates Gov To Swear In Most Senior As Acting Chief Judge

The Nigeria Judicial Council (NJC) in its determination to sanitize the judiciary has once again wielded the big stick by recommending the compulsory retirement of ten judges from the Imo State judiciary in connection with proven cases of age falsification and other constitutional breaches. The decisions were reportedly made at the NJC’s 10^th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon Justice Kekere-Ekun.

The Council in a press release signed by Kemi Babalola Ogedenbe, Deputy Director (Information) stated that nine judges were sanctioned for deliberately altering their official dates of birth to fraudulently elongate their stay in service.

The affected judges are High Court Justices M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi; and Customary Court of Appeal Judges Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe.

Separately, Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu faces compulsory retirement for allowing himself to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Imo State High Court despite being fourth in the hierarchy, a direct violation of Section 271 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution. The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Hon. Justice V. U. Okorie, who chaired the commission that nominated Nzeukwu, was exonerated because he had dissented on record against the recommendation.

The NJC investigation initially covered eighteen Imo State judges over age falsification allegations. Nine judges were fully cleared. Three High Court Judges – I. O. Agugua, C. A. Ononeze-Madu, and L. C. Azuama – showed no discrepancy in their dates of birth. Two High Court Judges, Vincent I. Onyeka and Vivian O. B. Ekezie, provided acceptable explanations for discrepancies and were directed to maintain the date of birth supplied by the Council of Legal Education. Four High Court Judges – P. U. Nnodum, Alma Ngozi Eluwa, Matthew Chinedu Ijezie, and Ononogbo Chidi Linus – were absolved after proving they genuinely corrected their dates of birth to an earlier date, thereby shortening their service.

Reiterating a previous directive, the NJC instructed Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to swear in the most senior judge of the state as the acting Chief Judge. The council’s actions followed its review of reports from an Investigation Committee and responses to queries issued to Justices Okorie and Nzeukwu.