The National Judicial Council, NJC, on Friday, found two Heads of Court guilty of age falsification.
According to the legal body, its investigations established that the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, had in their bid to remain on the bench, falsified their age.
Consequently, the Council, which has the statutory powers to discipline erring judicial officers, recommended the compulsory retirement of the two affected two Heads of Court.
The NJC, which is headed by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, said the decision to sanction the two judges, was taken at its 107th meeting that held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
In a statement it made available to newsmen through its Deputy Director (Information), Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the NJC disclosed that the Imo state CJ was recommended to Governor Hope Uzodinma for compulsory retirement with effect from October 27, 2021, with all salaries and allowance he received in excess from the said date, refunded to the Council.
“The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth; 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958.
“However, 27 October 1956, appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.
“Similarly, Council finds that Hon. Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (10 December, 28 January and July) all in 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.
“The Council held that Grand Kadi Mahdi committed an act of misconduct in violation of Rule 02908 (i) and (ii) of the Public Service Rules, 2021 and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.
“The Council, therefore, resolved to recommend Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi for compulsory retirement to the Governor of Yobe State and that he should refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years.”
Likewise, the legal body suspended a judge of the Rivers State High Court, Justice G. C. Aguma, from performing judicial functions for a period of one year without pay and also placed him on “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.
Justice A. O. Nwabunike of the Anambra State High Court, was also suspended for one year without pay and placed on “Watch-List” for two years thereafter.
“The Council’s findings revealed that Hon. Justice G. C. Aguma, committed acts of misconduct by aiding a litigant who obtained a judgment at the FCT High Court, Abuja, and filed a garnishee against judgement debtors in Bori Division of the High Court, Rivers State.
“The Council finds that Justice Aguma failed to raise any query as to why the garnishee proceedings were brought to his Court in Bori for a money judgment that could effectively be enforced in Abuja.
“That the judgment was delivered on 15 July 2020, at the High Court of the FCT, while the certificate of judgment was registered at Bori Division of the High Court of Rivers State on 16 July 2020.
“The Council further finds that the speed with which the Hon. Justice Aguma took and granted the order absolute against the judgment debtors showed that he had an interest, especially as he failed to take into consideration the stay of execution of the judgment granted in favour of the judgement debtors by the Bwari High Court, which had been brought to his attention.
“On the part of Hon. Justice A. O. Nwabunike of Anambra State, the Council found him to have breached the provision of Rule 3.1 of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 2016.
“He also failed to adhere to the principle of stare decisis from his different interpretation of the word “aspirant” and abused his judicial powers by granting ex parte orders without a Motion on Notice filed along with the Originating Summons.”
The Council said it considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which considered a total number of 30 petitions, and empanelled 6 Committees for further investigation.
It disclosed that whereas 22 of the petitions were dismissed for lacking in merit, two were considered to be subjudice.
The Council said it also empanelled a Committee to investigate all complaints and petitions against Hon. Justice O. A. Ojo, Chief Judge, Osun State, even as it recommended the appointment of 36 new High Court judges.
The Council also said: “The petitions against Hon. Justice Peter C. Obiora, JCA, formerly of Anambra State High Court and Hon. Justice I. S. Yerima, Chief Judge, Oyo State, were discontinued by the petitioners through notices of discontinuance served on the Council.
“The Petition by Hon. C. Oforma Agbo JP against Hon. Justice Comfort C. Ani of the Enugu State High Court, was investigated and no evidence of judicial misconduct was found against the Judge.
“The petition against Hon. Justice Kabir Dabo, High Court of Justice, Kaduna State, by Alhaji Samaila Musa, was dismissed for being unmeritorious, as the Judge did not violate any law by issuing a bench warrant for the arrest of the petitioner.
“Furthermore, the Petition by Hopeson Dike against Hon. Justice Stephen Dalyop Pam of the Federal High Court was discountenanced as the petitioner abandoned it and failed to honour Council’s invitation.
“While the NJC is ready to sanction erring Judicial Officers, it has a duty to protect them against unfounded allegations.
“The Council resolved that Legal Practitioners who by themselves or in collusion with litigants write frivolous petitions to blackmail the Judicial Officers will be reported to the Legal Practitioners’ Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) or the Legal Practitioners’ Privileges Committee (LPPC) for appropriate action.
“Also, at the meeting, the Council recommended Thirty-six (36) candidates for judicial appointment to their various State Governors,” the statement further read.
Credit: Vanguard News Nigeria