The National Judicial Council (NJC), under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, convened its 107th meeting on November 13 and 14, 2024. Following deliberations, the council sanctioned five judicial officers for misconduct and age falsification, reinforcing its commitment to judicial accountability and integrity.
Justice G. C. Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State was suspended for one year without pay. Post-suspension, he will be placed on the council’s watch-list for two years. Similarly, Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court faced identical sanctions for actions deemed inconsistent with the ethical standards of judicial service.
The NJC recommended the compulsory retirement of two judicial officers, citing age falsification. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State, and Kadi Babagana Mahdi, Grand Kadi of Yobe State, were found guilty of gross misconduct. Investigations revealed discrepancies in their declared dates of birth, which prolonged their service unlawfully.
Justice Chikeka's date of birth was found to be inconsistent. Despite 27 October 1956 being widely acknowledged, an affidavit in 2006 changed it to 27 October 1958. Consequently, the NJC recommended his retirement effective October 27, 2021. All salaries and allowances accrued beyond this date were ordered to be refunded.
Kadi Mahdi presented three different dates of birth—10 December 1959, 28 January 1959, and July 1959—while investigations determined his actual birth year as 1952. This discrepancy extended his tenure by 12 years. The council resolved to recommend his compulsory retirement and mandated the refund of all earnings within this extended period.
The NJC also reprimanded Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State with a cautionary letter, urging prudence in handling sensitive cases.
These decisions were based on findings from the council's Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which reviewed 30 petitions, dismissing 22 for lack of merit. Six cases were referred for further investigation, while two were deemed sub judice.
Justice Aguma was found to have improperly facilitated garnishee proceedings at the Bori Division of the Rivers State High Court for a judgment initially delivered at the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja. He ignored a stay of execution order and expedited a judgment enforcement under questionable circumstances.
Justice Nwabunike violated the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by granting ex parte orders without requisite notices. His deviation from legal precedents further underscored his misconduct.
The NJC’s decisive actions reaffirm its dedication to upholding the sanctity of the judiciary and addressing any breach of trust or ethical violations.
