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The National Judicial Council has recommended the removal of two senior court officials through compulsory retirement due to confirmed instances of judicial misconduct. This decisive action reflects the Council’s mandate to safeguard judicial ethics and reinforce public trust in the nation’s legal institutions.
Presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the National Judicial Council, during its 107th session on November 13 and 14, 2024, resolved to recommend the compulsory retirement of two senior judicial officers. The officials in question, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, the Chief Judge of Imo State, and Kadi Babagana, the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, were found guilty of falsifying their ages, a violation deemed incompatible with the ethical standards of the judiciary.
The announcement was made through an official statement issued on Friday in Abuja by Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the Deputy Director of Information for the National Judicial Council.
According to the statement, Justice Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from October 27, 2021.
Justice Chikeka was also directed to refund to the council, all salaries and allowances received in excess from October 27, 2021, till date.
The decision was pursuant to the findings of the council that the Imo CJ had two different dates of birth; October 27, 1956, and October 27, 1958.
It was however noted that October 27, 1956, appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to October 27, 1958.
Similarly, the council found that Kadi Mahdi of Oyo State had three different dates of birth –December 10, January 28 and July, all in 1959, while his actual date of birth is 1952.
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The council held that Babagana, the Grand Kadi of Yobe, committed an act of misconduct in violation of Rule 02908 (i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2021 and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.
The council, therefore, recommended Babagana for compulsory retirement to the governor of the state, and that he should refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years.
Similarly, the council suspended Justice G. C. Aguma of High Court of Rivers State from performing judicial functions for a period of one year without pay, and also placed him on “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.
Likewise, Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court was suspended from performing judicial functions for one year without pay and was also placed on “Watch-List” for two years.
The statement disclosed that the council considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, and empaneled six committees for further investigation, while 22 were dismissed for lacking in merit, and two were subjudice.
Meanwhile, the council also said it found Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
