Abuja, June 26, 2025 — The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the compulsory retirement of ten judges from the Imo State judiciary and recommended 21 others for judicial appointments across the country following its 109th meeting presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M. O. Kekere-Ekun (GCON).
The council’s decisions followed investigations into public complaints, interviews, and disciplinary reviews conducted in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines and Procedural Rules.
Judicial Appointments and Promotions
Heads of Court:
- Hon. Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye – Chief Judge, Ekiti State
- Hon. Kadi Abba Mammadi – Grand Kadi, Yobe State
Chairman, Code of Conduct Tribunal:
- Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar, Esq. – Recommended to President Bola Tinubu for appointment
High Court Judges:
Cross River State:
- Edu, Glory Bassey
- Irem, Melody Bassey
Ogun State:
- Adebayo Julius Adewole
- Adejumoke Oluwatoyin Adebo
- Oluyemisi Olukemi
Zamfara State:
- Garba, Sirajo Aliyu
- Bashir, Rabi
- Abdullahi, Nasiru
Katsina State:
- Dikko, Fadila Muhammad
- Abdulrahman, Shamsudden Yammama
- Abdullahi, Maryham Umaru
- Mohammed, Abubakar Dikko
Sharia Court of Appeal:
Zamfara State:
- Ibrahim, Jibril
- Muhammed, Sanusi Magami
- Shaa’ban Mansur
Plateau State:
- Badamasi, Kabir Adam
Customary Court of Appeal:
Ebonyi State:
- Ogodo, Lynda Nneka
Compulsory Retirement: Ten Judges from Imo Judiciary
Nine judges were compulsorily retired for falsifying their dates of birth to prolong their tenure. One judge was retired for violating judicial hierarchy in accepting to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge.
High Court Judges:
- Justice M. E. Nwagboso
- Justice B. C. Theka
- Justice K. A. Leaweanya
- Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi
- Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi
Customary Court of Appeal Judges:
- Justice Tennyson Nze
- Justice Ofoha Uchenna
- Justice Everyman Eleanya
- Justice Rosemond Ibe
Also Retired:
- Justice T. N. Nzeukwu – for assuming office as acting Chief Judge while being fourth in hierarchy
The NJC reaffirmed its earlier directive to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, to swear in the most senior judge as the acting Chief Judge in accordance with the Constitution.
Voluntary Retirements
- Justice Babatunde Ademola Bakre – Ogun State
- Justice H. O. Ajayi – Kwara State
Disciplinary Actions and Warnings
Barred from Promotion for 3 Years:
- Justice Isaac J. Essien – National Industrial Court
- Found guilty of misconduct including personal involvement in a N1 billion case affecting Nasarawa State while having a conflict of interest.
Cautioned Judges:
- Justice Rahman A. Oshodi – misuse of discretion in Lagos
- Justice Daniel Okungbowa – improper use of discretion in Edo
- Justice G. B. Okolosi – repeated violation of constitutional time limits for delivering judgment
- Justice Sa’adatu I. Mark – delayed judgment beyond 90 days
Judges Cleared of Misconduct
No Date of Birth Discrepancy:
- Justice I. O. Agugua
- Justice C. A. Ononeze-Madu
- Justice L. C. Azuama
Discrepancy Explained and Accepted:
- Justice Vincent I. Onyeka
- Justice Vivian O. B. Ekezie
Discrepancy Corrected to Their Disadvantage:
- Justice P. U. Nodum
- Justice Alma Ngozi Eluwa
- Justice Matthew Chinedu Ijezie
- Justice Ononogbo Chidi Linus
Petitions Dismissed and Judges Cleared
- Justice M. A. Ikpambese – Chief Judge, Benue State, cleared of all petitions
- Justice A. M. Liman – Federal High Court, Kano
- Justice S. A. Amobeda
- Justice Muhammad Auwal Haruna
- Justice Binta Fatima Murtala Nyako
The NJC noted that petitions against some judges, including Justices Liman and Yusuf Halilu, remain suspended as they are still sub judice.
Blacklisted Petitioner
The Council also blacklisted one Peter N. Ekemezie, a serial petitioner, from filing further complaints before it.
Report by: Kemi Babalola, Ogedengbe
Deputy Director (Information), NJC
