News
NJC Suspends Two Judges for One Year Without Pay
Rejects Appeals by Eight Retired Imo Judges
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has imposed fresh sanctions on judicial officers found guilty of misconduct, including the suspension of two High Court judges for one year without pay, while upholding the compulsory retirement of eight judges of the Imo State Judiciary.
The decisions were taken at the NJC’s 111th Meeting held on Tuesday, May 13, 2026, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
Suspended Judges
Hon. Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court was suspended for one year without pay over a petition filed by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma in Suit No. NSD/MG56M/2025. The NJC found that the judge granted an ex-parte order directing the transfer of N7 million from the petitioner’s bank account on the same day the application was filed and heard. The council ruled that there was no pending substantive suit, and the judge failed to verify the claims, acting in bad faith and breaching Rules 3.1, 3.3, and 3.5 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers (2016).
Similarly, Hon. Justice Edward A. E. Okpe of the Federal Capital Territory High Court was suspended for one year without pay following a petition by Mr. Sunday Emmanuel Oso in a matrimonial case (Suit No. FCT/HC/PET/529/2024). He was found to have granted an ex-parte application without proper notice to the petitioner and proceeded with committal proceedings in breach of fair hearing rules.
Imo State Judges
The NJC rejected appeals by eight compulsorily retired Imo State judges who were sanctioned for age falsification. The affected justices are:
- Hon. Justice B.C. Iheka
- Hon. Justice K. A. Leaweanya
- Hon. Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi
- Hon. Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi
- Hon. Justice Ofoha Uchenna
- Hon. Justice Everyman Eleanya
- Hon. Justice Rosemond Ibe
- Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu
The Council, however, reinstated Hon. Justice T. I. Nze of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal after he presented fresh and authentic evidence that warranted a review of his earlier retirement.
Other Decisions
During the meeting, the NJC considered 13 investigation reports and 98 petitions. It dismissed 73 petitions for lack of merit, want of diligent prosecution, or being time-barred. Four judges were cautioned, one received a final warning, and 11 petitions were sent for further investigation.
In a notable ruling, a petition against Hon. Justice Charles N. Wali of the Rivers State High Court concerning the Rivers State House of Assembly crisis was dismissed as unsubstantiated. The petitioner was recommended for referral to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee.
Several petitioners and lawyers faced sanctions for filing frivolous or reckless petitions, including referrals to the Inspector-General of Police and the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee. One serial petitioner was barred from further submissions to the NJC.
The Council also commended nine judges for outstanding performance in the 2024 and 2025 legal years and issued 256 query letters to judicial officers over performance issues.
These actions underscore the NJC’s continued commitment to upholding discipline, integrity, and accountability within the Nigerian judiciary.
News
FG commissions 37 electric buses for civil servants
Walson-Jack described the commissioning as her “parting gift” to federal civil servants, coming less than 24 hours before the end of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service.
•Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack
The Federal Government has commissioned 37 electric buses as the first batch of 100 approved under the Renewed Hope Mass Transit Programme.
Each of the electric buses can carry up to 200 passengers and cover at least 200 kilometres on a full charge.
The full deployment will be completed by December 2026.
The buses were unveiled on Wednesday at Eagle Square, Abuja, with the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Didi Walson-Jack, describing the initiative as a significant step towards improving working conditions for government employees.
Walson-Jack described the commissioning as her “parting gift” to federal civil servants, coming less than 24 hours before the end of her tenure as Head of the Civil Service.
“What we have here is 37 buses, being the first instalment of the 100 Electric Buses,” she said.
She noted that transportation costs and challenges directly affect workers’ finances, safety, punctuality and productivity.
“For many Civil Servants, the daily commute shapes their finances, their safety, their punctuality, and ultimately their productivity,” she said.
The buses will initially operate on selected routes under a pilot phase before being expanded nationwide.
They will eventually be deployed to Federal Secretariats across the states to extend the benefits to civil servants outside Abuja.
News
NIGCOMSAT To Procure Two New Communication Satellites
The deployment is expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard -to- reach communities, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria’s capacity to deliver satellite e-enabled services.
The federal government, through the Federal Executive Council (FEC), has approved the acquisition of two communications satellites, NIGCOMSAT 2A and NIGCOMSAT 2B.
This was contained in a statement released by the Nigerian Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), and signed by the Acting Head, Corporate Affairs Division, Stephen Kwande.
He said that the satellites, to be deployed by Nigeria Communications Satellite Limited (NIGCOMSAT), are designed to expand Nigeria’s satellite capacity and strengthen broadband, broadcasting, enterprise and critical communications services.
NIGCOMSAT will lead implementation under the supervision of the Federal Ministry of Communications, Innovation and Digital Economy.
The deployment is expected to extend connectivity to underserved, unserved and hard -to- reach communities, strengthen national communications resilience and increase Nigeria’s capacity to deliver satellite e-enabled services.
News
Gunmen abduct Dangote Cement senior driver in Ogun
The victim was attacked by three gunmen as he alighted from his motorcycle in front of his residence.
Gunmen have abducted a senior driver with Dangote Cement Company, Ibese Plant, Ogun State, Usman Umar, popularly known as “Baba Olowo,” in Yewa North local government area of the State.
A senior official of Dangote Cement, Ibese Plant, confirmed the incident, saying that Umar was reportedly abducted around midnight on Wednesday at Ajibawo Village, near Ijako-Orile, shortly after returning home from work.
The source said that the victim was attacked by three gunmen as he alighted from his motorcycle in front of his residence.
The assailants were said to have dragged him into a nearby bush while firing shots into the air to scare residents and prevent them from intervening.
The incident has reportedly prompted security operatives to commence efforts to locate the victim and apprehend his abductors.
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