The National Judicial Council (NJC) has ordered the compulsory retirement of ten serving judges from the Imo State judiciary. This decision—finalised at its 109th meeting presided over by Chief Justice Kudirat Kekere‑Ekun—targets nine judges suspected of submitting falsified birth records to prolong their tenure. The affected include five High Court judges and four from the Customary Court of Appeal .
Additionally, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu faces retirement for being sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Imo State despite ranking fourth in seniority—an act violating Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution . However, Justice V. U. Okorie, who presided over his nomination, was exonerated after officially dissenting against appointing Nzeukwu .
The NJC reaffirmed its prior directive that Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma should appoint the most senior judge as acting Chief Judge of the state .
Beyond Imo State, the council has recommended 21 candidates for various judicial roles nationwide. These include High Court judges for Cross River, Ogun, Zamfara, and Katsina states; Grand Kadi for Sharia Courts in Yobe and Zamfara; and Customary Court judges for Ebonyi State. Additionally, Mr Mainasara Ibrahim Kogo Umar was recommended for appointment as Chairman of the Code of Conduct Tribunal, with Hon. Justice A. Lekan Ogunmoye proposed as Ekiti State Chief Judge and Hon. Kadi Abba Mammadi as Yobe State Grand Kadi .
This personnel overhaul follows the NJC’s April 2025 transparency policy, which saw 86 public comments submitted, of which 73 were supportive and 13 unfavourable. Most objections were dismissed for lacking legal backing or procedural missteps .
