The National Judicial Council (NJC) has found the Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, guilty of age falsification.
The decision, announced on Friday, came after investigations revealed that both judicial officers altered their birth dates to extend their tenure.
According to the NJC’s findings, Justice Chikeka presented two different dates of birth, 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958. The council noted that despite the consistency of the 1956 date, the judge swore an affidavit in 2006 changing his birth year to 1958.
Following this discovery, the council recommended his compulsory retirement, effective from October 27, 2021. Additionally, he is required to refund any salaries and allowances received beyond that date.
Similarly, Kadi Mahdi of Yobe State was found to have three conflicting birth dates: December 10, January 28, and July 1959, while his actual birth year was 1952. The NJC stated that Mahdi violated the Public Service Rules of 2021, which led to the decision for his compulsory retirement. The council also directed him to return all earnings received over the past 12 years.
The disciplinary actions were part of the resolutions made during the NJC’s 107th meeting, presided over by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun. The NJC, through its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, explained that the council aims to uphold judicial integrity by penalizing misconduct.
In addition to the compulsory retirements, the NJC suspended two other judges for misconduct. Justice G. C. Aguma of the Rivers State High Court was suspended for one year without pay and placed on a two-year “watch list” for aiding a litigant inappropriately.
Similarly, Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court was suspended for one year without pay and also placed on a two-year watch list for abusing his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without proper procedure.
The council dismissed 22 petitions for lack of merit, while two were deemed sub judice. It also initiated further investigations into complaints against several judges, including Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge of Osun State. Additionally, it recommended the appointment of 36 new High Court judges across various states.
The NJC emphasized its commitment to maintaining judicial integrity and warned that legal practitioners involved in frivolous petitions to blackmail judges would face disciplinary actions. It noted, “While the NJC is ready to sanction erring judicial officers, it has a duty to protect them against unfounded allegations.”
The council’s decision underscores its dedication to upholding the rule of law and ensuring accountability within the judiciary.
