Breaking: NJC sends 10 judges on compulsory retirement, reason emerges

The Imo state judiciary has experienced a major shakeup as the NJC compulsorily retired 10 judges from the stateAccording to the commission, nine of the judges were retired over allegations of age falsification, while one was retired for allowing himself to be sworn in as chief judge without proper authorisationThe NJC investigative report indicated that the state’s acting chief judge allowed himself to be sworn in when he was the fourth in the hierarchyThe National Judicial Council (NJC) has approved the compulsory retirement of ten judges in the Imo state judiciary. This was disclosed in a statement issued by the council on Thursday, June 26, 2025.

According to the statement, nine out of ten of the affected judges falsified their dates of birth to continue their stay in office. In the same vein, the commission okayed the retirement of Justice T. N. Nzeukwu.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) approves the compulsory retirement of ten judges in the Imo state judiciary for various infractions.
Photo Credit: @NGCourtofAppeal
Source: TwitterJudge controversially emerges Imo chief judgeAccording to Vanguard, Justice Nzeukwu reportedly allowed himself to be sworn in as the acting chief judge of the Imo State High Court, despite being the fourth in the hierarchy of judges in the Imo state judiciary.

The NJC explained that the action of Justice Nzeukwu contravened Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria as amended. The nine other affected judges included five high court judges and four customary court of appeal judges.

Below is the list of the affected judges:

S/NNames of JudgesCourt1Justice T. N. NzeukwuActing Chief Judge of the Imo High Court2Justice M. E. NwagbosoHigh Court3Justice B. C. IhekaHigh Court4Justice K. A. Leaweanya High Court5Justice Okereke Chinyere NgoziHigh Court6Justice Innocent Chidi IbeawuchiHigh Court7Justice Tennyson NzeCustomary Court of Appeal8Justice Ofoha UchennaCustomary Court of Appeal9Justice Everyman EleanyaCustomary Court of Appeal10Justice Rosemond IbeCustomary Court of AppealWhy NJC retired 10 Imo judgesThe council then reiterated its call on Governor Hope Uzodimma, the state governor, to immediately swear in the most senior judge in the state as the acting Chief Judge. The NJC’s decision followed the report of its age falsification investigative committee against 18 of the judges and queries issued to two of the judges.

Also, similar allegations against three judges of the Imo State High Court were dismissed by the NJC because the investigation did not find any discrepancy in their date of birth.

The NJC is the body responsible for the recommendation of judges to both the states and the federal government. It regulates the appointment, promotion and salaries of judges across the country.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) faces scrutiny as it approves the compulsory retirement of ten judges in the Imo state judiciary for various infractions.
Photo Credit: @NGCourtofAppeal
Source: TwitterNJC asked to intervene in Rivers crisisLegit.ng earlier reported that Rivers state was thrown into another legal tussle as the NJC was asked to intervene in the latest developments in the state.

This followed a ruling by the state High Court, which declared that the 27 members of the State House of Assembly who had renounced their membership of the PDP were still members of the party.

In response, the Coalition for Justice and Accountability called on the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN) to investigate the ruling delivered by the Rivers State High Court.

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Proofreading by James Ojo, copy editor at Legit.ng.

Source: Legit.ng