NJC suspends judges over misconduct and recommends 12 new Court of Appeal justices during its latest meeting

The National Judicial Council has recommended the appointment of 12 new justices of the Court of Appeal while suspending two judges for one year without pay over judicial misconduct.

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The decisions were reached during the council’s 111th meeting held on May 13 under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

In a statement issued by the council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the NJC said the appointments were aimed at strengthening the judiciary and filling vacancies created by retirements and elevations within the courts.

The judges recommended for appointment to the Court of Appeal are Yakubu Mohammed, Monisola Abodunde, Raphael Ajuwa, Elias Abua, Mbalamen Ijohor, Sabiu Shuaibu, James Omotosho, Emeka Nwite, Dauda Buba, Sanusi Kado, Enikuomehin Ademola and Julcit Dadom.

The council also recommended Christine Ende for appointment as judge of the Benue State High Court, alongside Ibrahim Yakubu and Bala Daura as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.

According to the NJC, the appointments of Yakubu and Daura were initially delayed following petitions challenging their eligibility due to retirement from public service.

However, the council said it later concluded that the Nigerian Constitution does not prevent retired public servants from being appointed to judicial positions.

The statement noted that the decision was guided by the Court of Appeal judgment in Ayoola v. Baruwa (1999), which held that retired legal practitioners remain eligible for judicial appointments.

Under a newly adopted policy, the council stated that retired public servants seeking judicial appointments must have at least 10 years remaining before reaching the mandatory judicial retirement age.

The NJC suspends judges decision also affected Justice Ibrahim Shekarau, who was sanctioned for one year without pay over what the council described as judicial misconduct linked to the granting of an ex parte order.

According to the statement, investigators found that Shekarau “acted in bad faith, failed to observe due process and demonstrated lack of professional competence.”

Similarly, Justice Edward A. E. Okpe was suspended for one year without pay after the council found that he granted an ex parte application leading to committal proceedings against a petitioner without allowing the individual an opportunity to be heard.

The council also extended the tenure of Ijeoma Agugua as acting Chief Judge of Imo State for an additional three months pending the appointment of a substantive chief judge.

The NJC commended Ononeze-Madu for refusing to be sworn in contrary to constitutional procedures, describing the action as a powerful demonstration of institutional integrity and respect for the rule of law.

On disciplinary matters, the council rejected appeals filed by eight judges from Imo State who had earlier been compulsorily retired over age falsification allegations.

According to the NJC, the affected judges failed to provide fresh evidence capable of overturning the sanctions previously imposed on them.

However, the council reinstated T. I. Nze after reviewing new evidence presented before its committee.

The NJC further disclosed that it dismissed 73 petitions filed against judicial officers for lack of merit, insufficient prosecution or because they were statute-barred.

Another 11 petitions were recommended for further investigation.

The council also commended nine judges for outstanding performance during the 2024 and 2025 legal years and approved the issuance of 256 letters to judicial officers over performance-related matters.

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The NJC suspends judges ruling is expected to reinforce ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability, discipline and professionalism within Nigeria’s judiciary.