Why NJC sends Nine Judges packing in Imo state

DDM NEWS

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has indeed taken action against judges in Imo State over age falsification.

A reliable source confirmed that 9 judges have been sacked over age falsification.

The NJC ordered the compulsory retirement of these judges due to age falsification, with 9 judges found to have altered their dates of birth to prolong their tenure.

While most sources agree on 9 judges being retired for age falsification, one source mentions 10 judges in total, with an additional judge retired for violating constitutional provisions regarding judicial hierarchy.

NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, disclosed the details in a statement on Thursday.

She said the council cleared nine other Imo judges accused of similar misconduct age falsification.

The council barred a National Industrial Court judge from promotion for three years, and recommended a new chairperson for the Code of Conduct Tribunal (CCT).

These dcisions, Mrs Babalola-Ogedengbe stated, were made during the NJC’s 109th meeting held on Wednesday in Abuja, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

The nine judges of the Imo State judiciary found to have falsified their dates of birth comprising five (5) High Court Judges and four Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State are:

1. M. E. Nwagboso (High Court)

2. B. C. Iheka (High Court)

3. K. A. Leaweanya (High Court)

4. Okereke Chinyere Ngozi (High Court)

5. Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi (High Court)

6. Tennyson Nze (Customary Court of Appeal)

7. Ofoha Uchenna (Customary Court of Appeal)

8. Everyman Eleanya (Customary Court of Appeal)

9. Rosemond Ibe (Customary Court of Appeal)

The NJC said it took the decision, recommending the nine judges for compulsory retirement, “after consideration of the reports of its Investigation Committee on allegations of age falsification against eighteen (18) judges of the Imo State judiciary

The NJC’s decision was made after a thorough investigation into allegations of age falsification against 18 judges of the Imo State judiciary. The council also recommended 21 candidates for judicial appointments across various states in Nigeria .

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