The National Judicial Council (NJC) has taken major steps to sanitize and strengthen the Nigerian judiciary.
During its 111th Meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the Council recommended the elevation of 12 Justices to the Court of Appeal and sanctioned several others for various infractions.
According to a statement by the Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the names recommended to President Bola Tinubu for elevation include:
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Justice Emeka Nwite
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Justice James Kolawole Omotosho
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Justice Yakubu Mohammed
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Justice Abodunde Oluwatoyin
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Justice Ajuwa Raphael
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Justice Abua Ojie
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Justice Ijohor Jennifer
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Justice Shuaibu Bala
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Justice Buba Njane
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Justice Kado Sanusi
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Justice Ademola Enikuomehin
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Justice Dadom Veronica
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The Council also recommended Christine Ende as a Judge of the High Court of Benue State and appointed two Kadis for the Sharia Court of Appeal in Katsina.
In a move to enforce accountability, the NJC imposed a one-year suspension without pay on Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau (Nasarawa State High Court) and Justice Edward A. E. Okpe (FCT High Court).
Justice Shekarau was found to have acted in “bad faith” by granting an ex parte order to transfer ₦7 million from a petitioner’s account without a substantive suit or verifying the facts. The NJC noted he “demonstrated lack of professional competence.”
Justice Okpe was sanctioned for denying a fair hearing in a matrimonial case. The petitioner, Mr. Sunday Emmanuel Oso, alleged the judge granted an ex-parte application and moved for committal proceedings against him without giving him a chance to be heard, which the NJC found was “contrary to Rule 3.3 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.”
The NJC stood its ground regarding eight judges from the Imo State Judiciary who were seeking a reversal of their compulsory retirement for allegedly falsifying their ages.
The Council noted they “failed to present fresh evidence capable of justifying a reversal of the sanctions imposed on them.”
However, Justice T. I. Nze of the Customary Court of Appeal was reinstated after presenting new, authentic evidence to the review committee.
The NJC extended the acting appointment of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for another three months, effective from March 26, 2026, to June 26, 2026.
The Council notably praised Justice Ononeze-Madu for declining to be sworn in contrary to constitutional procedure, calling it a “demonstration of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law.”
The NJC reaffirmed that retired public servants are not prohibited from becoming judges, provided they meet new strict criteria:
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Must have at least 10 years remaining before the mandatory judicial retirement age.
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Must disclose any criminal convictions and full employment history.
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Must declare financial status, including any “circumstance of financial embarrassment.”
