ABUJA/Nigeria: The National Judicial Council (NJC) has recommended to President Bola Tinubu the appointment of 12 new justices of the Court of Appeal.
The council also disclosed that it issued queries to 256 judicial officers over various performance-related issues.
In a statement issued by the NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, the council said it reviewed 98 petitions submitted by its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committees during its 111th meeting held on May 13.
According to the statement, 68 petitions were dismissed for lacking merit, four judges were cautioned, one judge received a final warning, while 11 petitions were recommended for further investigation.
The council added that some petitions were suspended because the matters were already before the courts.
The NJC also resolved to refer Mbadiwe Ossai to the Nigeria Police Force for investigation and possible prosecution over alleged perjury.
In addition, several legal practitioners, including Adeboye Williams Adewale, Peter N. Ekemezie, Martin Odika and Muhammad Hamza Ahmad-Gana, were referred to the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee for allegedly filing frivolous and unsubstantiated petitions against judicial officers.
The council further barred Yusuf Isa from submitting further petitions.
The NJC commended nine judges for outstanding performance during the 2024 and 2025 legal years.
According to the council, two judges will receive commendation letters for delivering more than 21 considered judgments during the review period, while seven others will receive appreciation letters for commendable performance.
At the same time, the council approved the issuance of 256 letters to judicial officers over performance-related concerns.
On disciplinary matters, the council rejected appeals filed by eight judges from the Imo State judiciary who sought reversal of their compulsory retirement over allegations of age falsification.
The affected judges are B.C. Iheka, K.A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, Rosemond Ibe and T.N. Nzeukwu.
However, the council reinstated T.I. Nze after fresh evidence submitted by him was deemed authentic by the review committee.
The judges were among 10 judicial officers earlier recommended for compulsory retirement at the NJC’s 109th meeting held on June 25, 2025.
According to the council, nine of the judges were found to have altered their birth dates to unlawfully extend their years in service, while Justice T.N. Nzeukwu was accused of making himself available to be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge despite being fourth in the judicial hierarchy, contrary to constitutional provisions.
The council also reviewed 13 investigation reports involving petitions against judicial officers nationwide.
Eight petitions were dismissed for lacking merit, being time-barred, or not diligently prosecuted, while sanctions were imposed in two cases.
Among those sanctioned was Justice Ibrahim D. Shekarau of the Nasarawa State High Court, who was suspended for one year without pay over judicial misconduct.
The disciplinary action followed a petition by Oluwafunke Obale Ozozoma concerning proceedings in Suit No. NSD/MG56M/2025.
According to the petition, Justice Shekarau granted an ex parte order directing the transfer of N7 million from the petitioner’s bank account to a third party as a purported reversal of funds.
The petitioner argued that the application was filed, heard and granted on the same day without a substantive suit before the court and that the order implied involvement in fraud despite no criminal charge.
The NJC committee reportedly found that the judge acted in bad faith, failed to follow due process and demonstrated lack of professional competence.
Similarly, Justice Edward A.E. Okpe of the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory was suspended for one year without pay over alleged denial of fair hearing in a matrimonial dispute.
The petition was filed by Sunday Emmanuel Oso in relation to Suit No. FCT/HC/PET/529/2024 involving Lateefat Adeola Oso and Sunday Emmanuel Oso.
Oso alleged that although hearing notices fixed the matter for September 19, 2024, the court proceeded to hear and grant an ex parte application on September 17, 2024, without notifying him.
