The National Judicial Council (NJC), led by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has taken decisive action against five judicial officers, issuing sanctions for various acts of misconduct, including the compulsory retirement of two judges for falsifying their ages.
At its 107th meeting in Abuja, the NJC announced the suspension of two high-ranking judicial officers—Justice G. C. Aguma of the Rivers State High Court and Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court—for one year each. Both judges were also placed on a two-year watchlist for their infractions.
The Council found Justice Aguma guilty of serious misconduct after he aided a litigant in obtaining a judgment from the FCT High Court, Abuja, and subsequently facilitating garnishee proceedings in Bori, Rivers State.
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The Council revealed that Aguma granted a garnishee order against judgment debtors in Bori Division without verifying whether the proceedings were proper, considering a stay of execution issued by the Bwari High Court.
“The speed with which the order was granted suggested personal interest in the case,” the NJC stated in its findings.
Justice Nwabunike was found to have violated judicial conduct rules by misinterpreting the term “aspirant” and granting ex parte orders without the requisite motions. His actions were deemed inconsistent with judicial standards, breaching Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
In a more severe move, the NJC recommended the compulsory retirement of two senior judges—Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State, and Kadi Babagana Mahdi, Grand Kadi of Yobe State—for falsifying their dates of birth.
Investigations revealed that Justice Chikeka had sworn an affidavit in 2006 changing his birthdate from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958. Kadi Mahdi, meanwhile, was found to have three different birthdates in official records, with the actual date being 1952. The NJC directed that both should refund all salaries and allowances received in excess of their legitimate tenure.
“Justice Chikeka’s age falsification is particularly egregious, as it allowed him to remain in office beyond his retirement age, contrary to established rules,” the NJC’s statement noted. “Kadi Mahdi should have retired 12 years ago, but his falsified records kept him in service.”
The NJC also took actions against other judicial officers. Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State received a letter of caution for mishandling sensitive matters, while Justice J. J. Majebi, Chief Judge of Kogi State, was reprimanded for assigning a sensitive case to a junior judge.
Additionally, the NJC resolved four petitions against Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, rejecting claims of bribery and misconduct. The petitions, including accusations of a $1 million bribe, were found to be unsubstantiated, with the NJC noting that no misconduct was evident in the judge’s rulings.
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In total, 30 petitions were reviewed, with 22 dismissed for lacking merit and two deemed sub judice. The NJC also directed the President of the Court of Appeal to handle the assignment of appeals administratively, following concerns raised over the Court of Appeal’s vacation sittings.
Moreover, the NJC emphasized its commitment to combatting frivolous petitions aimed at blackmailing judicial officers. “Legal practitioners who engage in such actions will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee for appropriate action,” the Council said.
Finally, the NJC recommended 36 candidates for judicial appointments across various states, underscoring its ongoing efforts to ensure the integrity and professionalism of Nigeria’s judiciary.
