Misconduct: NJC recommends two judges retirement, suspends two others

The National Judicial Council, led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has recommended two judges for compulsory retirement on the grounds of judicial misconduct.

The council, at its 107th meeting held November 13 and 14, 2024, recommended the duo of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, for compulsory retirement for falsification of age.

This was disclosed in a statement signed by the council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, on Friday in Abuja.

The Council discovered that Mahdi had three conflicting birthdates in 1959 (December 10, January 28, and July) when his actual birth year was 1952.

The findings of the council also revealed that Justice Chikeka has two different dates of birth: October 27, 1956, and October 27, 1958.

The statement said:“However, 27 October 1956 appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the chief judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.”

The council also imposed a one-year suspension without pay on two judicial officers and added them to the “Watch List” for an additional two years.

Specifically, the council suspended Justice G. C. Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State from performing judicial functions for one year without pay and also placed him on a “Watch List” for two years thereafter.

Likewise, Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court was suspended from performing judicial functions for one year without pay and placed on a “watch list” for two years thereafter.

According to the statement, the council considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions and empaneled six committees for further investigation. While 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were sub judice.

It stated: “The Council also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.

“The council also empanelled a committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State.

“The council’s findings revealed that Justice G. C. Aguma committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgment debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State.

“The council finds that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja.

“That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at the Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020.

“The council further finds that the speed with which the Hon. Justice Aguma took and granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgment debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention.”

On his part, the council found Justice Nwabunike of Anambra State to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.

“He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word “aspirant” and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons.”

NJC has also recommended 36 high court judges for appointment in their respective states.

A Friday statement posted on X and on the NJC website revealed that these candidates have been nominated for judicial appointments across various states, awaiting approval from the respective state governors.

The recommendations include High Court judges, Sharia Court Kadis, and Customary Court judges across multiple states.

Here is the full list of those recommended for appointments:

EIGHT JUDGES, HIGH COURT, OYO STATE
Opayinka, Adeniyi Gabriel
Oyediran, Oloyede Semiu
Oladejo, Olusoji Moses
Ademola-Salami, Oluwaseun Toluwanimi
Adesina, Jimoh Adam
Adekunle, Yemi Saubana
Adepoju, Olutola Jolade Adenike
Muraina, Olayemi Rasaq

FOUR JUDGES, HIGH COURT, KEBBI STATE
Muhammad, Kwaido Hassan
Ibrahim, Umar Halima
Jagwadeji, Suru Lauratu
Muhammad, Nuruddeen

SEVEN JUDGES, HIGH COURT, SOKOTO STATE
Haruna, Dogondaji Mariya
Sahabi, Jaredi Hadiza
Ahmad, Sha’aibu
Hassan, Fatima
Mohammed, Sa’idu Fatima
Muhammad, Nura Bello
Moyi, Abubakar

SIX JUDGES, HIGH COURT, AKWA IBOM STATE
Ekanem, James Bassey
Umohandi, Mfon Winifred
Essien, Bassey Iwakaowo
Morrison, Henry Comfort
Ntekim, Edet Ekpo
Eddie, Julius Sharon

SEVEN KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, SOKOTO STATE
Muhammad, Abdulazeez Yar’Abba
Lawal, Isa Abubakar
Bello, Sokoto Ibrahim
Imam, Abubakar Bello
Muhammad, Abibu Lawal
Ibrahim, Bodinga Umar
Kabiru, Marnona Umar

TWO KADIS, SHARIA COURT OF APPEAL, KEBBI STATE
Aliyu, Kabir, SAN
Bello, Muhammad Atiku

TWO JUDGES, CUSTOMARY COURT OF APPEAL, OYO STATE
Oyediran, Safiya Amope
Ojekunle, Ojeyemi Ademola

The recommended candidates are expected to be sworn in by their respective state governors, as stated in the announcement signed by Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, NJC’s Deputy Director of Information.