Age Falsification Allegations: NJC Recommends Compulsory Retirement for 10 Judges, Exonerates 9 Others
The National Judicial Council at its 109th meeting on June 25, 2025, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, recommended the compulsory retirement for ten judges of the Imo State Judiciary.
The compulsory retirement of these judges was based on various infractions. Nine of the judges were found to have falsified their dates of birth in their official records to extend their service period. These judges include:
– High Court Judges:
– Hon Justice M. E. Nwagboso
– Hon Justice B. C. Iheka
– Hon Justice K. A. Leaweanya
– Hon Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi
– Hon Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi
– Customary Court of Appeal Judges:
– Hon Justice Tennyson Nze
– Hon Justice Ofoha Uchenna
– Hon Justice Everyman Eleanya
– Hon Justice Rosemond Ibe
Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu, was sanctioned for making himself available to be sworn into office as acting Chief Judge of Imo State despite being number four in the hierarchy of judges in the state. However, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Hon Justice V. U. Okorie, was absolved of any wrongdoing since he had dissented against the recommendation to appoint Hon. Justice Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge.
In a related development, the council exonerated nine other judges from Imo State of age falsification allegations. Three judges of the State High Court were cleared due to no discrepancies in their dates of birth:
– Judges with No Discrepancies:
– Hon Justice I. O. Agugua
– Hon Justice C. A. Ononeze-Madu
– Hon Justice L. C. Azuama
Additionally, six High Court judges were given a clean bill of health due to acceptable explanations for discrepancies in their dates of birth or genuine corrections made to their disadvantage:
– Judges with Acceptable Explanations:
– Hon Justice Vincent I. Onyeka
– Hon Justice Vivian O. B. Ekezie
– Judges with Genuine Corrections:
– Hon Justice P. U. Nnodum
– Justice Alma Ngozi Eluwa
– Justice Matthew Chinedu Ijezie
– Hon Justice Ononogbo Chidi Linus
The council also reiterated its directive to the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to swear in the most senior judge of the state as the acting Chief Judge, as stipulated by Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended.
