– National Judicial Council sacks 10 judges for wrongdoing
– Sacked judged include 5 High Court and 4 Appeal Court Judges.
– Issues warnings to several other judges.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has sacked 10 judges from the Imo State Judiciary.
The judges forced to undergo compulsory retirement were gound wanting of one wrongdoing or the other.
The decision to terminate their service was announced at the NJC’s 109th meeting held on Wednesday June 25, 2025.
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One of the judges, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu was forced into compulsory retirement for accepting to serve as acting Chief Judge of Imo State despite being fourth in line.
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The Council found five High Court judges and four from the Customary Court of Appeal wantig for altering their official birth records.
Those affected include Justices M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Theka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe.
The Council also cleared nine other judges earlier accused of age falsification.
Three were found to have no discrepancies, two provided satisfactory explanations, and four had corrected their birth records in ways that did not benefit them.
The NJC maintained its earlier instruction to Governor Hope Uzodinma to swear in the most senior judge as acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice V. U. Okorie, who chaired the nomination panel but opposed the irregular selection of Justice Nzeukwu, was cleared of any wrongdoing.
In a separate case, the NJC barred Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court from any promotion for three years.
He was found guilty of misconduct, including issuing orders to confiscate over N1 billion belonging to Nasarawa State despite an ongoing appeal.
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His previous ties to the state university and personal interest in the case raised concerns about his conduct.
The NJC also reviewed 30 petitions from its complaints committees.
Four judges were issued warnings for various acts such as misuse of judicial power or delays in judgment delivery.
