…Suspends two for one year without pay
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the issuance of 256 letters of query to judges for poor performance and related issues.
The NJC also recommended to President Bola Tinubu the appointment of 12 judges for elevation to the Court of Appeal.
The council also recommended one candidate for appointment as Judge of the High Court of Benue State and two candidates for appointment as Kadis of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
According to a statement issued late on Thursday by NJC’s Deputy Director, Information, Mrs. Kemi Babalola-Ogendegbe, the recommendations are meant to fill vacancies arising from the elevation and retirement of judicial officers across various levels of the Judiciary and to strengthen the capacity of courts for eflective justice delivery.
Those recommended for the Court of Appeal are Justice Yakubu, Abdulhammeed Mohammed, Justice Abodunde, Monisola Oluwatoyin, Justice Ajuwa, Raphael, Justice Abua, Elias Ojie and Justice Ijohor, Mbalamen Jennifer.
Others are Justice Shuaibu, Sabiu Bala, Justice Omotosho, James Kolawole, Hon. Justice Nwite, Emeka, Justice Buba, Dauda Njane, Justice Kado, Sanusi
Hon. Justice Ademola, Enikuomehin and Justice Dadom, Julcit Veronica.
*For the Benue State High Court, Christine T. Clement Ende was recommended, while Ibrahim Abdullahi Yakubu and Bala Salisu Daura were recommended for appointment as judges of the Sharia Court of Appeal, Katsina State.
Babalola-Ogendegbe explained that the NJC, at its 111th meeting held on Wednesday, also suspended two judges.
Part of the statement reads: “Specifically, the Council suspended Hon. Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the High Court of Nasarawa State for one year without pay for judicial misconduct involving the grant of an ex parte order in breach of Rules 3.1, 3.3 and 3.5 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
“The suspension followed a petition by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma over proceedings in suit No. NSD MG56M/2025.
“The petitioner alleged Hon. Justice Shekarau of granted an ex parte order directing the transfer of N7 million from her bank account to a third party as a purported reversal of funds. She contended that the ex parte application was filed, heard, and granted on the same day without any substantive suit pending before the court, and that the order wrongly implied her involvement in fraud despite her not being charged or made a party to the proceedings.
“She further alleged that the Judge failed to verify the alleged erroneous transfer before making the order, thereby amounting to judicial misconduct.
“The committee found that the judge acted in bad faith, failed to observe due process and demonstrated lack of professional competence.
“Similarly, the Council suspended Hon. Justice Edward A. E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory for one year without pay over allegations of breach of fair hearing in a matrimonial case.
“The decision followed a petition filed by Mr. Sunday Emmanuel Oso, who accused the Judge of bias and denial of fair hearing in Suit No. FCT/HC/PET/529/2024 between Latifat Adeola Oso and Sunday Emmanuel Oso.
“In the petition, Oso alleged that “although he was served hearing notices fixing the matter for September 19, 2024, the court heard and granted an ex-parte application on September 17, 2024 without notice to him.
“He further alleged that when the matter later came up, the judge declined to hear the Motion on Notice and instead entertained committal proceedings against him based on alleged disobedience of the earlier ex-parte order.
“The committee found that Hon. Justice Okpe granted an ex parte application that led to committal proceedings against the petitioner without affording him the opportunity to be heard, contrary to Rule 3.3 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.”
The NJC extended the acting appointment of Justice Ijeoma O. Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for a further period of three months with effect from 26 March 2026 — 26 June 2026 to allow for completion of the process for appointing a substantive Chief Judge.
It commended Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to be sworn in contrary to established constitutional procedure, describing the action as a demonstration of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law.
The NJC reiterated its call on the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to expedite the process of appointment of a substantive Chief Judge in order to ensure stability, safeguard judicial independence, and enhance the effective administration of justice in the state.
It rejected appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State Judiciary seeking a reversal of their compulsory retirement from service over age falsification.
The council found that the affected judges failed to present fresh evidence capable of justifying a reversal of the sanctions imposed on them.
The judges include Justices B.C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi lbeabuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and T. N. Nzeukwu.
The NJC reinstated Justice T. I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal after he presented new evidence to the review committee which the committee found to be authentic.
It also considered 13 investigation reports on petitions filed against judicial officers across the country over the handling of cases before them.
According to the statement, “Following deliberations, the NJC dismissed eight petitions for lack of merit, want of diligent prosecution or for being time barred, while sanctions including one-year suspension without pay were imposed in two cases where misconduct was established.
“In another case, the council dismissed a petition filed against Hon. Justice Charles N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court over allegations of misconduct linked to the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis.”
According to the statement, the NJC found that “the allegations were unsubstantiated and recommended that the petitioner, Daniel Chibuzor Amadi Esq., be referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for disciplinary action over allegations described as reckless and unsupported by evidence.
“The council also deliberated on the report of 98 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees.
“Out of the petitions considered, 68 were dismissed for lack of merit, four judges were cautioned, one judge received final warning, while 11 petitions were recommended for further investigation.
“The council further adopted reports suspending proceedings in some petitions on the grounds that the matters were sub judice.
“The council also resolved to refer one Mbadiwe Ossai to the Inspector-General of Police for investigation and prosecution for alleged perjury while Adeboye Williams Adewale, Esq.; Dr. Peter N. Ekemezie, Esq.; Dr. Martin Odika, Esq.; and Muhammad Hamza Ahmad-Gana, Esq.; were referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for writing frivolous and unsubstantiated petitions calculated to harass and intimidate judicial officers.
“In a related development, one Yusuf Isa, a serial petitioner, was barred from further presenting petitions to the council.
“On judicial performance evaluation, the NJC commended nine judges for exemplary performance during the 2024 and 2025 legal years.
“Two judges are to receive letters of commendation for delivering more than 21 considered judgments within the review period, while seven others will receive appreciation letters for commendable performance.
“The council reaffirmed that the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended) does not prohibit retired public servants from judicial appointments.
“The decision was further guided by judicial precedent, particularly Ayoola v. Baruwa (1999), where the Court of Appeal affirmed that no constitutional provision precludes a retired Iegal practitioner from appointment to the Bench.
“Under the newly adopted policy: A retired public servant must have a minimum of 10 years remaining in service before attaining the mandatory judicial retirement age; Prospective candidates must disclose any criminal conviction; Provide full employment history and reasons for leaving previous employment; + Declare existing employment obligations; and Disclose financial status, including any circumstance of financial embarrassment.
“The council noted that public service retirement may occur through voluntary retirement, compulsory retirement, or advised resignation, and observed that some officers retire upon attaining 50 years of age after completing 35 years of service.
“The requirement of a minimum remaining service period was introduced to ensure optimal institutional investment in judicial training and to promote continuity, stability, and efficiency within the Judiciary. “
