The National Judicial Council (NJC), under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Motonmori Olatokunbo Kekere-Ekun, has taken disciplinary actions against several judicial officers.
The council made this recommendations at its 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024.
A letter of caution was issued to Justice I. A. Jamil of Kogi State to be more circumspect in handling sensitive matters in the future.
Also a letter of caution was also issued to Justice J. J. Majebi, Chief Judge, Kogi State, for assigning a sensitive matter to a junior Judge on the Bench.
The Council, however, recommended the compulsory retirement of two Heads of Court for falsification of age.
The Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, and the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were found to have provided inconsistent dates of birth, leading to the Council’s decision.
Justice Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from 27th October 2021, while all salaries and allowance received in excess by him from 27th October 2021 till date will be refunded to the NJC.
The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the NJC that he has two different dates of birth; 27th October 1956 and 27th October 1958.
However, 27th 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, the NJC finds that Kadi Mahdi has 3 different dates of birth (10th December 1959 , 28 January 1959 and July 1959, while his actual date of birth was 1952.
The Council held that Grand Kadi Mahdi committed an act of misconduct in violation of the Public Service Rules, 2021 and ought to have retired from service 12 years ago.
The Council, resolved to recommend 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.
