The National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the compulsory retirement of ten judges in the Imo state judiciary. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the council on Thursday, June 26, 2025.
According to the statement, nine out of ten of the affected judges falsified their dates of birth to continue their stay in office. In the same vein, the commission okayed the retirement of Justice T. N. Nzeukwu.
Judge controversially emerges Imo chief judge
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According to Vanguard, Justice Nzeukwu reportedly allowed himself to be sworn in as the acting chief judge of the Imo State High Court, despite being the fourth in the hierarchy of judges in the Imo state judiciary.
The NJC explained that the action of Justice Nzeukwu contravened Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The nine other affected judges included five high court judges and four customary court of appeal judges. Below is the list of the affected judges:
Names of Judges Court
1 Justice T. N. Nzeukwu Acting Chief Judge of the Imo High Court
2 Justice M. E. Nwagboso High Court
3 Justice B. C. Iheka High Court
4 Justice K. A. Leaweanya High Court
5 Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi High Court
6 Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi High Court
7 Justice Tennyson Nze Customary Court of Appeal
8 Justice Ofoha Uchenna Customary Court of Appeal
9 Justice Everyman Eleanya Customary Court of Appeal
10 Justice Rosemond Ibe Customary Court of Appeal
Why NJC retired 10 Imo judges
The council then reiterated its call on Governor Hope Uzodimma, the state governor, to immediately swear in the most senior judge in the state as the acting Chief Judge. The NJC’s decision followed the report of its age falsification investigative committee against 18 of the judges and queries issued to two of the judges.
Also, similar allegations against three judges of the Imo State High Court were dismissed by the NJC because the investigation did not find any discrepancy in their date of birth. The NJC is the body responsible for the recommendation of judges to both the states and the federal government. It regulates the appointment, promotion and salaries of judges across the country.
