*Dismisses 29 Petitions
*Cautions A Federal High Court Judge,
*Moves To Open Judicial Appointments To Public Scrutiny
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has directed the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately reverse the recent appointment of an Acting Chief Judge in the state, citing constitutional violations.
At its 108th meeting held on April 29–30, 2025, and chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, GCON, the Council ordered the appointment of the most senior judge of the Imo State High Court as Acting Chief Judge, in accordance with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), which mandates the governor to appoint the most senior High Court judge when the office of Chief Judge is vacant or incapacitated.
In a statement signed by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, the Council also issued a query to Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, the recently sworn-in Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, demanding that he show cause within seven (7) days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself for an unconstitutional swearing-in.
Below is the full press statement.
At its 108th Meeting held on 29th and 30th April, 2025, the National Judicial Council, directed the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to appoint the Most Senior Judicial Officer in the State High Court’s hierarchy as the acting Chief Judge of the State in conformity with Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The National Judicial Council under the Chairmanship of the Hon. Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Kekere-Ekun, GCON, at its 108th Meeting, also suspended three serving Judicial Officers without pay for one (1) year for various acts of judicial misconduct. It also empanelled nine (9) Committees to investigate pending complaints against 27 Judicial Officers for alleged acts of judicial misconduct.
The Council at its Meeting resolved that the constitutional provision on appointment of an acting Chief Judge of a State does not give room for discretion. Section 271(4) of the Constitution provides:
“If the office of the Chief Judge of a State is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the Governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions.”
Council also resolved that Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwushould be issued a query to show cause within seven (7) days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as the acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
Hon. Justice V. U. Okorie, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, who acted as Interim Chairman of Imo State Judicial Service Commission and recommended the appointment of Hon. Justice Nzeukwu is required to show cause within 7 days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.
Specifically, in its resolution, the Council suspends Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang, Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, for one year without pay, as the Investigation Committee found His Lordship to have breached Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate Ex parte Orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at interlocutory stage of the case.
The act of judicial misconduct occurred while His Lordship presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, at the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division, before his elevation to Court of Appeal.
Furthermore, Hon. Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, has been placed on suspension for one (1) year without pay. His Lordship was also placed on Watch-List for five (5) years and barred from elevation for five (5) years.
The complaints against Hon. Justice Ekwo arose from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021,wherein His Lordship delivered a Ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties. His Lordship ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the Court conducted in the absence of the parties. Subsequently, His Lordship proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the Charge against the Defendants. Consequently, His Lordship was found to have violated Rule 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Council also suspended Hon. Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division for a period of one (1) year without pay for judicial misconduct in breach of Rule 3 (1) and 5 of the 2016 Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
It also placed His Lordship on the Watch-List for three (3) years within which period he is barred from elevation.
Hon. Justice Baffa was found liable for act of judicial misconduct in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021, theGovernment of Zamfara State vs EFCC, wherein His Lordship granted an order restraining security agencies from carrying out their statutory duties, and disregarded the doctrine of stare decisis in adjudication of the case.
The Council also issued a letter of caution to Hon. Justice A. O. Awogboro of Federal High Court, Lagos Division in a petition filed by one Kasali Azeez Olagoke and S. Hamza in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021 between Chief Adesanya Musediku against Assistant General of Police, Onikan, Zone 2.
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