In a sweeping move to uphold judicial integrity, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended the immediate compulsory retirement of nine judges in Imo State after uncovering deliberate falsification of their official birth records to extend their time in office.
The judges, five from the High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal, were found guilty of manipulating their dates of birth to unlawfully prolong their tenure in the judiciary — a grave violation of service rules and constitutional provisions.
The affected High Court judges are:
Justice M. E. Nwagboso
Justice B. C. Iheka
Justice K. A. Leaweanya
Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi
Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi
Customary Court of Appeal judges include:
Justice Tennyson Nze
Justice Ofoha Uchenna
Justice Everyman Eleanya
Justice Rosemond Ibe
In a separate but related development, the NJC also recommended the retirement of Justice T. N. Nzeukwu, who allegedly allowed himself to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, even though he ranked fourth in seniority — a direct violation of Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).
“Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu was sanctioned for making himself available to be sworn into office as acting Chief Judge of Imo State,” said Kemi Ogedengbe, NJC Deputy Director of Information, in a statement issued Friday.
The council emphasized that the misconducts were not only unethical but also undermined the credibility of the Nigerian judiciary at a time when public trust in institutions remains fragile.
This is not the first time Imo State’s judiciary has been rocked by scandal. In 2024, former Chief Judge T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka was also recommended for compulsory retirement over falsification of age. He was ordered to refund all salaries and allowances received from October 27, 2021, to November 2024.
The NJC's actions send a strong message: the bench is not above the law, and judicial officers who compromise ethics for personal gain will face the full weight of accountability.