Breaking: NJC Retires 10 Judges, Reason, Full List Emerge
- The Imo state judiciary has experienced a major shakeup as the NJC compulsorily retired 10 judges from the state
- According 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 authorisation
- The NJC investigative report indicated that the state's acting chief judge allowed himself to be sworn in when he was the fourth in the hierarchy
The 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.
Source: Twitter
Judge controversially emerges Imo chief judge
According 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/N | Names of Judges | Court |
| 1 | Justice T. N. Nzeukwu | Acting Chief Judge of the Imo High Court |
| 2 | Justice M. E. Nwagboso | High Court |
| 3 | Justice B. C. Iheka | High Court |
| 4 | Justice K. A. Leaweanya | High Court |
| 5 | Justice Okereke Chinyere Ngozi | High Court |
| 6 | Justice Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi | High Court |
| 7 | Justice Tennyson Nze | Customary Court of Appeal |
| 8 | Justice Ofoha Uchenna | Customary Court of Appeal |
| 9 | Justice Everyman Eleanya | Customary Court of Appeal |
| 10 | Justice Rosemond Ibe | Customary Court of Appeal |
Why NJC retired 10 Imo judges
The 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.
Source: Twitter
NJC asked to intervene in Rivers crisis
Legit.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
