The National Judicial Council, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has recommended the compulsory retirement of two top judges over age falsification and suspended two others for misconduct.
This decision was reached during the NJC’s 107th meeting, held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
According to a statement by the council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the affected judges are the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi.
The statement revealed that Kadi Babagana Mahdi was found to have used three different dates of birth—December 10, January 28, and July—all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952. Similarly, Justice Chikeka was found to have two conflicting birthdates, October 27, 1956, and October 27, 1958. In 2006, he swore an affidavit to change his date of birth to 1958.
“The NJC has recommended their compulsory retirement to uphold the integrity of the judiciary,” the statement read.
In addition, Justice G. C. Aguma of Rivers State High Court and Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court were both suspended for one year without pay and placed on a two-year “Watch-List.”
Justice Aguma was sanctioned for misconduct in a garnishee proceeding, where he allegedly expedited a judgment in a questionable manner. “The speed with which Justice Aguma granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed interest, particularly as he ignored a stay of execution granted by another court,” the statement added.
Justice Nwabunike was found guilty of breaching judicial conduct by issuing ex parte orders without proper motions and misinterpreting legal terms. He was also accused of abusing his judicial powers.
The council also reviewed 30 petitions against judges, dismissing 22 due to lack of merit, and empanelled committees to investigate six cases, including a probe into allegations against Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge of Osun State.
The NJC reiterated its commitment to maintaining discipline within the judiciary. “Few judges give the judiciary a bad name, and we remain firm in addressing misconduct to restore public trust,” the statement concluded.
