The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended Justice G.C. Aguma of the High Court of Rivers State and Justice A.O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court for one year without pay.
Both judges have also been placed on a two-year watchlist. The decision was announced in a statement following the NJC’s 107th meeting, held on 13–14 November 2024, and chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The NJC also sanctioned five other serving judicial officers for various acts of misconduct. Among the actions taken, the Council recommended the compulsory retirement of the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T.E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, both for falsifying their dates of birth.
Suspension of Justices Aguma and Nwabunike
Justice Aguma was found to have committed misconduct by facilitating a garnishee proceeding for a judgment originally delivered at the FCT High Court in Abuja. The NJC determined that he failed to question why the garnishee order was brought before him in the Bori Division of the Rivers State High Court, despite the fact that the judgment could be enforced in Abuja. Furthermore, the NJC noted that Justice Aguma granted the order with undue speed, disregarding a stay of execution on the judgment issued by the Bwari High Court.
Justice Nwabunike, on the other hand, was found to have violated the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers (2016), particularly Rule 3.1. The NJC also cited his failure to adhere to the principle of stare decisis and his improper granting of ex parte orders without the required supporting motions.
Compulsory retirement for Imo, Yobe Judges
The NJC recommended the compulsory retirement of Hon. Justice T.E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Chief Judge of Imo State, for falsifying his birthdate. Justice Chikeka had previously sworn an affidavit in 2006 to change his birthdate from 27 October 1956 to 27 October 1958. The NJC found that the consistent date of birth was 27 October 1956. The recommendation includes a directive for Justice Chikeka to refund any salaries and allowances received from 27 October 2021, when he should have retired, until the present date.
Similarly, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi of Yobe State was found to have three different birthdates and was determined to have committed misconduct by remaining in service beyond his retirement age. The NJC has recommended that he be retired and refund any salaries and allowances received in the past 12 years.
Other sanctions and investigations
The NJC also issued cautionary letters to two judges: Hon. Justice I.A. Jamil of Kogi State, urging him to be more circumspect in handling sensitive matters, and Hon. Justice J.J. Majebi, Chief Judge of Kogi State, for assigning a sensitive case to a junior judge.
Further, the NJC reviewed 30 petitions through its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee. Of these, 22 were dismissed for lack of merit, while two were sub judice. A committee was empanelled to investigate complaints against Hon. Justice O.A. Ojo, Chief Judge of Osun State.
The Council also dismissed petitions against Hon. Justice Peter O. Lifu of the Federal High Court, Abuja, concerning allegations of bribery and misconduct. The NJC found no evidence to substantiate claims of bribery or improper behavior.
Judicial appointments
The NJC recommended the appointment of 36 judicial officers across various courts. The recommended candidates include judges for the High Courts of Oyo, Kebbi, Sokoto, and Akwa Ibom states, as well as Kadis for the Sharia Court of Appeal in Sokoto and Kebbi states.
The appointments are now subject to the approval of the respective state governors.
