The National Judicial Council (NJC) of Nigeria has recommended the compulsory retirement of ten judges from the Imo State Judiciary following investigations into allegations of misconduct. The decision, announced by the NJC, stems from findings that nine judges falsified their dates of birth to extend their tenure, while one judge improperly positioned himself for appointment as acting Chief Judge.
The nine judges, comprising five High Court judges and four from the Customary Court of Appeal, were found to have altered their official records to gain an undue advantage. The affected judges are:
Hon Justice M. E. Nwagboso (High Court)
Hon Justice B. C. Iheka (High Court)
Hon Justice K. A. Leaweanya (High Court)
Hon Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi (High Court)
Hon Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi (High Court)
Hon Justice Tennyson Nze (Customary Court of Appeal)
Hon Justice Ofoha Uchenna (Customary Court of Appeal)
Hon Justice Everyman Eleanya (Customary Court of Appeal)
Hon Justice Rosemond Ibe (Customary Court of Appeal)
Additionally, Hon Justice T. N. Nzeukwu faced sanctions for making himself available to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge of the Imo State High Court, despite being fourth in the judicial hierarchy, contravening Section 271(4) of the Nigerian Constitution (1999, as amended).
The NJC cleared Hon Justice V. U. Okorie, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, who chaired the commission that nominated Justice Nzeukwu. Justice Okorie was absolved after dissenting against the nomination on record.
The Council reiterated its directive to Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to appoint the most senior judge as the acting Chief Judge of the Imo State High Court.
Following a probe into allegations of age falsification against 18 judges, the NJC dismissed similar claims against three High Court judges—Hon Justice I. O. Agugua, Hon Justice C. A. Ononeze-Madu, and Hon Justice L. C. Azuama—whose records showed no discrepancies. Six other judges were exonerated, either due to acceptable explanations for discrepancies or because corrections to their dates of birth disadvantaged them. These include:
Hon Justice Vincent I. O. Onyeka (High Court)
Hon Justice Vivian O. B. Ekezie (High Court)
Hon Justice P. U. Nnodum (High Court)
Hon Justice Alma Ngozi Eluwa (High Court)
Hon Justice Matthew Chinedu Ijezie (High Court)
Hon Justice Ononogbo Chidi Linus (High Court)
The NJC instructed Justices Onyeka and Ekezie to maintain the dates of birth provided by the Council of Legal Education in their official records.
This development underscores the NJC’s commitment to upholding integrity within Nigeria’s judiciary, ensuring accountability for actions that undermine public trust.
