The National Judicial Council (NJC), under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat M.O. Kekere-Ekun, GCON, has approved a new round of judicial appointments and enforced disciplinary actions, including the compulsory retirement of 10 judges in Imo State for falsifying their dates of birth.
The Council’s 109th meeting, held on June 25, 2025, in Abuja, recommended the appointment of Hon. Justice Adekanye Lekan Ogunmoye as the Chief Judge of Ekiti State and Hon. Kadi Abba Mammadi as Grand Kadi of Yobe State. It also nominated Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar, Esq. to President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, for appointment as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal.
New Judges Appointed Across Nigeria
Following a thorough screening process, including public input in line with the 2023 Revised NJC Guidelines, the NJC approved the appointment of several judges for different jurisdictions:
Cross River State High Court: Edu Glory Bassey, Irem Melody Bassey
Ogun State High Court: Adebayo Julius Adewole, Adejumoke Oluwatoyin Adebo, Oluyemisi Olukemi
Zamfara State High Court: Garba Sirajo Aliyu, Bashir Rabi, Abdullahi Nas
Zamfara State Sharia Court of Appeal: Ibrahim Jibril, Muhammed Sanusi Magami, Shaa’ban Mansur
Plateau State Sharia Court of Appeal: Badamasi Kabir Adam
Ebonyi State Customary Court of Appeal: Ogodo Lynda Nneka
Katsina State High Court: Dikko Fadila Muhammad, Abdulrahman Shamsudden Yammama, Abdullahi Maryham Umaru, Mohammed Abubakar Dikko
Judicial Misconduct and Disciplinary Actions
In a landmark disciplinary move, the NJC compulsorily retired nine judges of the Imo State Judiciary—five from the High Court and four from the Customary Court of Appeal—for altering their official dates of birth to unlawfully extend their tenures. Additionally, Hon. Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was sanctioned for unlawfully accepting an appointment as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, despite being fourth in judicial hierarchy.
The Council reaffirmed its directive for Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judge as Acting Chief Judge, in accordance with constitutional provisions.
Sanctions, Cautions, and Dismissals
The NJC also barred Hon. Justice Isaac J. Essien of the National Industrial Court from elevation for three years for gross misconduct, including misappropriating N1 billion belonging to Nasarawa State while aware of a pending appeal.
Further, Hon. Justice Rahman A. Oshodi, Hon. Justice Daniel Okungbowa (Chief Judge of Edo State), Hon. Justice G.B. Okolosi (Delta State), and Hon. Justice Sa’adatu I. Mark (Federal High Court) received various levels of caution for judicial misconduct ranging from misuse of discretion to judgment delays.
Petitions against other judges, including Hon. Justices A.M. Liman, S.A. Amobeda, Muhammad Auwal Haruna, and Binta Fatima Murtala Nyako, were dismissed for lacking merit or withdrawn.
In a decisive move against abuse of judicial petitioning, the Council blacklisted a serial petitioner, Peter N. Ekemezie, from filing future complaints.
Public Input Initiative
The NJC highlighted its commitment to transparency, noting that 86 public comments were received during the recent nomination process, with 85% supportive of the shortlisted candidates. Complaints without accompanying affidavits or those previously resolved were not considered.
This latest NJC meeting underscores its resolve to uphold integrity, discipline, and due process within Nigeria’s judiciary, while promoting merit-based appointments and restoring public confidence in the legal system.
