In a sweeping move to sanitize the judiciary, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has dismissed a total of ten judges in Imo State from service. The drastic disciplinary actions, taken at the NJC’s 109th meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, were primarily due to falsification of age and various unethical practices.
Among those dismissed, five were from the High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal. These judges were found guilty of deliberately altering their dates of birth in official records to unlawfully extend their tenure on the bench, a grave breach of judicial ethics and constitutional provisions. The affected High Court judges were identified as Justices M.E. Nwagboso, B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Chinyere Ngozi Okereke, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi. From the Customary Court of Appeal, those removed include Justices Tennyson Nze, Uchenna Ofoha, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe.
In a separate but equally significant disciplinary action, Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was also removed for a distinct violation: submitting himself for appointment as Acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in line by seniority, a clear disregard for constitutional succession protocols. The NJC reiterated its firm position that Governor Hope Uzodinma must adhere to constitutional provisions by swearing in the most senior judge as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State. Notably, Justice V.U. Okorie, President of the Imo Customary Court of Appeal, who chaired the controversial nomination commission but formally dissented from its decision, was cleared by the Council.
Beyond the disciplinary measures, the NJC also focused on strengthening the judiciary through new appointments. The Council approved the appointment of 21 judges across several states, signaling an ongoing commitment to bolstering the nation’s judicial workforce. Prominent among these appointments are Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye as Chief Judge of Ekiti State and Kadi Abba Mammadi as Grand Kadi of Yobe State. Additionally, Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar was recommended for appointment as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, a crucial body for public officer ethics. Further judicial appointments were recommended for courts in Cross River, Ogun, Zamfara, Plateau, Ebonyi, and Katsina states.
In a move towards greater transparency, the Council revealed it received 86 public responses to its list of shortlisted judicial nominees, a new initiative introduced in April 2025. Out of these, 73 responses were favorable, while five of the 13 adverse submissions were dismissed on procedural grounds, demonstrating a commitment to public scrutiny in the appointment process.
Finally, in another distinct disciplinary action, Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court was barred from any elevation for a period of three years. He was found guilty of issuing an order confiscating N1 billion belonging to Nasarawa State despite a pending appeal, using official court stationery for personal claims, and personally visiting the registry to verify an appeal – actions the NJC unequivocally described as highly inappropriate and a serious breach of judicial conduct. This extensive set of actions by the NJC underscores its resolve to maintain the integrity and ethical standards of the Nigerian judiciary.
 has dismissed 10 judges in Imo State for age falsification and unethical practices, alongside disciplinary actions against another judge for misconduct. This marks a significant purge in the judiciary.){kind=link}