The National Judicial Council (NJC) has instructed the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to revoke the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of the state and instead appoint the most senior judge to that position.
Under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the NJC has also directed that Justice Nzeukwu be issued a query, requiring him to explain within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for accepting the appointment as Chief Judge.
Governor Uzodimma had sworn in Justice Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State on April 4th.
This appointment followed the NJC’s removal of the previous Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chikeka, due to age falsification.
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Furthermore, the NJC has directed Justice V. U. Okorie, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State, who served as the Interim Chairman of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission and recommended Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment, to also explain within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his involvement in the recommendation.
According to a statement from the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, these decisions were made at the council’s 108th meeting held on April 29th and 30th, 2025.
Additionally, the NJC has suspended three serving judicial officers for one year each without pay for various acts of judicial misconduct, including Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, who was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders.
“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 also been placed on suspension for one year without pay. His Lordship was also placed on a watch-list for five years and barred from elevation for five years,” the statement read in part.
The complaints against Justice Ekwo stemmed from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, where he allegedly delivered a ruling on a pending application without hearing arguments from the involved 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,” it said.
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has also suspended Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, for one year without pay due to judicial misconduct that violated Rules 3(1) and 5 of the 2016 Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers. Additionally, Justice Baffa will be placed on a watch-list for three years, during which he will not be eligible for promotion.
Justice Baffa was found responsible for judicial misconduct in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021, involving the Zamfara State government and the EFCC. In this case, he issued an order preventing security agencies from performing their legal duties and disregarded the principle of stare decisis in his judgment.
Furthermore, the NJC issued a warning letter to Justice Abimbola Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, in response to a petition filed by Kasali Azeez Olagoke and S. Hamza in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021 between Chief Adesanya Musediku and the Assistant General of Police, Onikan, Zone 2.
The council also reviewed the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which included 43 petitions. Nine committees were established to further investigate 11 of these petitions, while 29 petitions against judges were dismissed for lacking merit.
Finally, the council resolved that going forward, the names of individuals being considered for judicial appointments to higher courts will be published to allow the public to provide information and comments.
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