Ten Nigerian judges sacked for falsifying age to extend tenure

Ten Nigerian judges sacked for falsifying age to extend tenure

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the compulsory retirement of ten judges in Imo State, nine of whom were found guilty of falsifying their dates of birth to unlawfully extend their tenure in office.

In a statement issued on Thursday by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola Ogedengbe, the resolution was reached during the Council’s 109th meeting held on June 25, and chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

According to the Council, the nine judges, comprising five from the High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State, altered their official records in a deliberate effort to remain in service beyond the legal retirement age, an act described by the NJC as a serious breach of judicial integrity.

In addition to the nine, another judge, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu, was sanctioned for misconduct after making himself available to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge of the Imo State High Court despite being fourth in the hierarchy.

The Council said this act contravened Section 271 (4) of the Nigerian Constitution.

Although Justice Nzeukwu was penalised, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in the state, Justice V. U. Okorie, who chaired the commission that recommended Nzeukwu for the position, was absolved, having officially dissented from the nomination.

The NJC noted that its decisions followed thorough investigations into allegations of age falsification against 18 judges in Imo State.

Three judges were cleared after their records showed no discrepancies, while six others were exonerated on the grounds that their date-of-birth irregularities were either minor or were corrected to their disadvantage.

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The NJC reiterated its earlier directive to Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to appoint the most senior judge in the state judiciary as acting Chief Judge.

Furthermore, the Council barred Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court from promotion for three years.

He was found guilty of misconduct after ordering the confiscation of over N1bn belonging to the Nasarawa State Government despite ongoing appeal proceedings.

Justice Essien, a former employee of the state university, reportedly used the court’s official letterhead to demand payment of his gratuity and even made an inappropriate personal visit to the Court of Appeal registry to check on the appeal status of the case.

The NJC ruled that these actions were clear violations of the judicial code of conduct.

Beyond the Imo judiciary, the NJC reviewed 30 petitions against judicial officers nationwide.

Four petitions were referred for further investigation, while four judges were cautioned for judicial missteps, including Justices Rahman Oshodi and Daniel Okungbowa of Lagos and Edo States respectively, for misuse of discretion in cases under them.

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Justice G. B. Okolosi of the Delta State High Court received a final warning for consistent delays in judgment delivery, while Justice Sa’adatu Mark of the Federal High Court was cautioned for exceeding the constitutionally allowed 90-day period for delivering judgment.

In Benue State, the Chief Judge, Justice M. A. Ikpambese, was absolved of allegations of judicial misconduct. However, the NJC expressed concern over what it described as a coordinated attempt to remove him from office, allegedly orchestrated by the state’s Attorney-General, Fidelis Bemsen Mnyim.

The Council said Mnyim would be referred to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee for further action.

Meanwhile, the Council also considered complaints against several judicial candidates and recommended the appointment of 21 individuals to various courts across Nigeria, including new judges for the High Courts in Ekiti, Ogun, Cross River, Zamfara, Katsina, and Plateau States, as well as Kadis for Sharia Courts and a chairman for the Code of Conduct Tribunal.

In line with its policy of transparency, the NJC said it had received and reviewed 86 public comments on the shortlisted candidates, 73 of which were favourable. Of the 13 adverse comments, five were not considered due to failure to meet required verification standards.

The Council also reaffirmed its decision to publish names of candidates for judicial appointments for public scrutiny, emphasizing its commitment to transparency and integrity in the judiciary.

Ten Nigerian judges sacked for falsifying age to extend tenure