From Godwin Tsa, Abuja
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has nullified the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge of Imo State, directing Governor Hope Uzodimma to appoint the most senior judge in accordance with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).
Justice Nzeukwu has been ordered to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for accepting the unlawful appointment.
The NJC also summoned Justice V. U. Okorie, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, to explain within seven days why he should not face disciplinary action for chairing the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) meeting that recommended Nzeukwu’s appointment, violating constitutional provisions.
Additionally, the NJC suspended three judges for one year without pay: Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division; Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division; and Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division.
These decisions were made at the NJC’s 108th meeting on Tuesday, April 29, and Wednesday, April 30, 2025, chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
A statement by NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, detailed further actions. The NJC empanelled nine committees to investigate 27 judicial officers for alleged misconduct, dismissed 29 petitions for lack of merit, and issued a caution letter to Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division.
The NJC emphasised that appointing an acting Chief Judge allows no discretion, citing Section 271(4): “If the office of the Chief Judge of a State is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the Governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions.”
Justice Inyang was suspended for breaching Rule 3(5) of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and businesses in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023 while at the Federal High Court, Uyo Division, before her elevation to the Court of Appeal.
Justice Ekwo faced suspension and a five-year watch list, barred from elevation, for violating Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Code of Conduct. In Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, he delivered a ruling without hearing parties, ignored an application to set aside proceedings conducted in their absence, and dismissed the case. Another petition against him in Suit No. FHC/ABJ/CS/321/2015 was held in abeyance pending a Court of Appeal decision.
Justice Aliyu was suspended and placed on a three-year watch list for breaching Rules 3(1) and 5 of the 2016 Code of Conduct. In Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 (Government of Zamfara State vs EFCC), he granted orders restraining security agencies from statutory duties and disregarded the doctrine of stare decisis.
The NJC dismissed a petition by Mahmud Aliyu against the 2022 Zamfara State judicial appointments, finding the petitioner, an unsuccessful candidate, made unsubstantiated claims. He was barred from future judicial appointment processes. A petition by Abdullahi Liman on 2021 Federal High Court judge recruitments was dismissed as untimely under Section 11(1) of the Judicial Discipline Regulations. A petition by Monday Adjeh on the Oyo State JSC’s composition was deemed overtaken by events.
The NJC also accepted Justice Babatunde Ahmed Ademola Bakre’s voluntary retirement and approved the name change of Hon. Justice I. A. Osayande to Hon. Justice I. A. Dika of the Edo State High Court.
Henceforth, judicial officer candidates’ names will be published for public scrutiny to ensure integrity and competence.