*NJC WIELDS BIG STICK IN IMO: TEN JUDGES RECOMMENDED FOR COMPULSORY RETIREMENT OVER AGE FALSIFICATION AND ETHICAL BREACHES IN IMO STATE.*
By Prince Uwalaka Chimaroke
In a sweeping disciplinary move, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has called for the immediate and compulsory retirement of ten judges serving in the Imo State Judiciary, following substantiated allegations of age falsification and professional misconduct.
The Council, after a thorough investigation, found that nine of the affected judges deliberately altered their official dates of birth in a bid to unlawfully prolong their stay in office, an act considered gross misconduct within the judiciary. Additionally, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu was cited for overreaching his authority by presenting himself as the Acting Chief Judge of the state, despite being only fourth in the order of seniority. This contravenes Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The judges listed for compulsory retirement include:
Justice M. E. Nwagboso
Justice B. C. Iheka
Justice K. A. Leaweanya
Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi
Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi
Justice Tennyson Nze
Justice Ofoha Uchenna
Justice Everyman Eleanya
Justice Rosemond Ibe
Justice T. N. Nzeukwu
Among them, five currently serve in the High Court while four are part of the Customary Court of Appeal.
In contrast, the NJC exonerated Justice V. U. Okorie, President of the Customary Court of Appeal, who had opposed the irregular nomination of Justice Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge. The Council upheld his stance as lawful and consistent with judicial ethics.
The Council also dismissed parallel age-related petitions against Justices I. O. Agugua, C. A. Ononeze-Madu, and L. C. Azuama, having verified the authenticity of their records.
Justices Vincent Onyeka and Vivian Ekezie were similarly cleared, after satisfactorily explaining variations in their documents. However, they are now required to adhere strictly to the dates of birth submitted earlier to the Council of Legal Education.
Furthermore, the NJC acknowledged the voluntary corrections of age records by four other judges, even though the amendments were to their own detriment. These judges include:
Justice P. U. Nnodum
Justice Alma Ngozi Eluwa
Justice Matthew Chinedu Ijezie
Justice Ononogbo Chidi Linus
Reiterating its commitment to judicial integrity, the NJC reaffirmed its directive to the Executive Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodinma, to ensure that the most senior judge is appointed as Acting Chief Judge of the State, in full compliance with constitutional provisions and to preserve the sanctity of the judiciary.
This latest development underscores the NJC’s zero-tolerance stance on falsification, indiscipline, and attempts to subvert the judicial order, as it moves to restore public confidence in the bench.
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