“The Council said the affected judges…altered their dates of birth in official records to illegally extend their tenure.”
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has compulsorily retired 10 judges in Imo State for falsifying their ages to extend tenure, alongside other ethical breaches.
A statement issued Thursday after the Council’s 109th meeting chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, named the affected High Court judges as Justices M.E. Nwagboso, B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Chinyere Ngozi Okereke, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi. From the Customary Court of Appeal: Justices Tennyson Nze, Uchenna Ofoha, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe, and T.N. Nzeukwu.
The Council said the judges “altered their dates of birth in official records to illegally extend their tenure.” It also faulted Nzeukwu for violating Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution by accepting appointment as acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in seniority.
Reaffirming due process, the NJC directed Governor Hope Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judge as acting Chief Judge.
Meanwhile, it recommended 21 new judicial appointments nationwide and sanctioned several other judges for misconduct, while dismissing or resolving petitions against others.