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.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended 12 Federal High Court judges for promotion to the Court of Appeal in a major elevation exercise aimed at strengthening Nigeria’s appellate judiciary.

The recommendation, which follows a rigorous shortlisting process by the Federal Judicial Service Commission (FJSC), was drawn from an initial pool of 48 nominees from Federal and State High Courts.

Among the prominent judges elevated are Justice James Kolawole Omotosho from Ogun State and Justice Emeka Nwite from Ebonyi State.

Justice Omotosho is widely recognised for presiding over the high-profile terrorism trial of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) leader, Nnamdi Kanu. His rulings in the case drew significant national and international attention, frequently testing the balance between judicial independence, national security, and human rights considerations.

Justice Emeka Nwite, who sits in Abuja, has handled several sensitive political and constitutional cases, including election petitions and intra-party leadership disputes. He has been particularly noted for adjudicating contentious matters involving parties such as the African Democratic Congress (ADC) and other high-stakes political crises.

The NJC, as the constitutional body responsible for appointments and promotions in the superior courts, has now forwarded the list of 12 successful candidates. Their elevation to the Court of Appeal is now subject to formal notification by the President and confirmation by the Senate.

Full List of Recommended Judges:

• Hon. Justice Raphael Ajuwa – Bayelsa State
• Hon. Justice Ijohor M. Jennifer – Benue State
• Hon. Justice Abua Elias Ojie – Cross River State
• Hon. Justice Emeka Nwite – Ebonyi State
• Hon. Justice Abodunde M. Oluwatoyin – Ekiti State
• Hon. Justice Abdulhameed M. Yakubu – Gombe State
• Hon. Justice Sanusi Kado – Katsina State
• Hon. Justice Sabiu Bala Shuaibu – Kebbi State
• Hon. Justice James K. Omotosho – Ogun State
• Hon. Justice Ademola Enikuomehin – Ondo State
• Hon. Justice Veronica Julcit Dadom – Plateau State
• Hon. Justice Dauda Njane Buba – Taraba State

This latest batch of elevations is expected to bring fresh expertise and experience to the Court of Appeal, particularly in handling complex criminal, constitutional, and political matters.

The bail application of social media personality Chidiebere Justice Mark, popularly known as Justice Crack, suffered a setback on Thursday at the Federal High Court in Abuja following a heated clash between two lawyers over who would represent him.

The development created a mild drama in the courtroom after activist Omoyele Sowore reportedly sent his preferred lawyer to stand in for Mark.

Justice Joyce Abdulmalik had on May 4 fixed Thursday for the hearing of Mark’s bail application, shortly after he was arraigned by the Department of State Services (DSS). He pleaded not guilty to a three-count charge of cybercrime offences.

The case, marked FHC/ABJ/CR/253/2026, borders on alleged circulation of false information and publication of materials capable of causing public unrest. Prosecutors claim Mark published a viral video and accompanying statements via his X handle, @JusticeCrack, alleging inadequate feeding of Nigerian soldiers by the Army.

When the matter came up on Thursday, Leyii Abueh of the Federal Ministry of Justice informed the court that the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) had taken over the prosecution from the DSS.

Tension rose immediately after as Femi Balogun and Marshall Abubakar both announced their appearance for Mark.

Balogun told the court he was briefed by the defendant’s family and had already filed a bail application. Abubakar, however, insisted he remained Mark’s counsel, having handled the matter from the outset and not been formally disengaged.

Justice Abdulmalik asked the defendant to identify his lawyer, and Mark pointed to Balogun.

In response, Abubakar applied to withdraw all processes he had filed on behalf of the defendant, including the earlier bail application. The judge granted the request, struck out Abubakar’s processes, and adjourned the matter to May 18, 2026, for hearing of a fresh bail application to be filed by Balogun.

The case continues to attract public interest due to the sensitive nature of the allegations involving the Nigerian military.