The National Judicial Council (NJC), chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, sanctioned five judicial officers for various acts of misconduct during its 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
Suspensions and Watch-List Actions
The NJC resolved to suspend the following judges from performing judicial functions for one year without pay and placed them on a two-year “Watch-List” thereafter:
- Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State for aiding a litigant inappropriately transferring garnishee proceedings from the FCT High Court, Abuja to the Bori Division of Rivers State High Court without raising any queries. Justice Aguma failed to question why the proceedings, arising from a judgment delivered on July 15, 2020, in Abuja, were registered in his jurisdiction the very next day.
- Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court, for undisclosed acts of misconduct.
Compulsory Retirement Over Age Falsification
The NJC also recommended the compulsory retirement of two senior judicial officers for falsifying their ages:
- Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State.
- Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, Grand Kadi of Yobe State.
Investigations and Other Actions
The NJC reviewed 30 petitions through its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee:
- 22 petitions were dismissed for lacking merit.
- 6 Committees were empanelled for further investigation.
- 2 cases were declared sub judice.
The Council also initiated an investigation into allegations against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge of Osun State.
