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 because their date-of-birth irregularities were either minor or were corrected to their disadvantage.
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.