NJC Suspends Two Judicial Officers, Queries 256 Judges Over Performance

NJC Suspends Two Judicial Officers, Queries 256 Judges Over Performance
The council also queried 256 judges over concerns relating to their performance.
NJC approved judicial appointments, retirements and commendations during its latest meeting.

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two judicial officers for one year without pay following findings of misconduct, while 256 judges have been issued queries over concerns relating to their performance.

The decisions were taken at the council’s 111th meeting, presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

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EKO HOT BLOG reports that the NJC said the disciplinary measures were part of efforts to strengthen accountability and promote higher standards within the Nigerian judiciary.

At the meeting, the council also approved recommendations for the appointment of 12 Justices of the Court of Appeal to fill vacancies created by the retirement of some judicial officers and the elevation of others to higher positions.

The council also recommended one person for appointment as a judge of the Benue State High Court and two others as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.

The appointments are part of efforts to strengthen the administration of justice and address vacancies within the judiciary.

The NJC further approved a three month extension of the tenure of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State.

The extension was approved to allow more time for the completion of the process of appointing a substantive Chief Judge for the state.

The council also reviewed the case of Justice T. N. Nze of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal and approved his return to office after considering new evidence presented in the matter.

However, the NJC dismissed appeals filed by eight judges of the Imo State Judiciary who were compulsorily retired over allegations of age falsification.

The council ruled that the judges failed to present fresh evidence strong enough to warrant a reversal of the earlier decision.

The NJC also recognised nine judges for their outstanding performance during the period under review.

NJC Suspends Two Judicial Officers, Queries 256 Judges Over Performance

Two of the judges will receive official commendations for delivering more than 21 considered judgments, while seven others will receive letters of appreciation in recognition of their work.

The council also approved the retirement of three judicial officers, comprising two Justices of the Court of Appeal and a judge of the Zamfara State High Court.

The NJC commended the retiring judicial officers for their years of dedicated service to the Nigerian judiciary.

It also honoured three judicial officers who died between December 2025 and April 2026, recognising their contributions to the administration of justice in the country.