The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two judicial officers for one year without pay over misconduct and issued queries to 256 judges over performance-related concerns.
The decisions were taken at the Council’s 111th meeting chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
As part of measures to fill vacancies in the judiciary, the Council recommended the appointment of 12 new Justices of the Court of Appeal.
It also recommended one candidate for appointment as a judge of the Benue State High Court and two candidates as Kadis of the Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal.
Imo Judges
The Council extended the appointment of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for another three months to allow the process for appointing a substantive Chief Judge to be completed.
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It also reinstated Justice T.N. Nze of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal after reviewing fresh evidence presented in his case.
However, the NJC dismissed appeals filed by eight judges from the Imo State Judiciary who were compulsorily retired over age falsification, saying they failed to provide new evidence that could justify reversing the earlier disciplinary action.
Performance Review
As part of its performance assessment, the Council commended nine judges for outstanding judicial output.
Two judges will receive formal commendation for delivering more than 21 considered judgments during the review period, while seven others will receive letters of appreciation for exceptional performance on the bench.
Retirements and Tribute
The NJC also approved the retirement of three judicial officers, including two Justices of the Court of Appeal and a judge of the Zamfara State High Court, thanking them for their service to the judiciary.
The Council equally paid tribute to three judicial officers who died between December 2025 and April 2026, describing their contributions to the administration of justice as invaluable.
The NJC reaffirmed its commitment to promoting discipline, integrity and professionalism in the judiciary, stating that the latest disciplinary and administrative decisions were aimed at improving accountability, strengthening judicial institutions and enhancing public confidence in the justice system.
Rafiyat Sadiq is a political, justice, and human rights reporter with Pinnacle Daily, known for fearless reporting and impactful storytelling. At Pinnacle Daily, she brings clarity and depth to issues shaping governance, democracy, and the protection of citizens’ rights.