Odinkalu Hails Kekere-Ekun For Taking Action On Defaulting Judges

Professor of Law, Chidi Odinkalu, has commended the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun for sanctions imposed on some judges by the National Judicial Commission.

Naija News reported that NJC sanctioned five justices for breaching the rules of profession in various ways, on Friday.

NJC reached the decision at its 107th meeting on 13 and 14 November 2024.

Imo State Chief Judge, Chukwuemeka Chikeka and Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi, were sanctioned for falsifying their ages.

Also, Justice G.C Aguma of Rivers State High Court and Justice A.O Nwabunike of Anambra State High Court were suspended for a period of one year from performing their duties.

“Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka was recommended to the Governor of Imo State for compulsory retirement with effect from 27 October 2021, while all salaries and allowance received in excess by His Lordship from 27 October 2021 till date should be 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,” the statement read in part.

In his reaction, the judicial reform advocate, Professor Odinkalu noted that the Chief Justice of Nigeria did the right thing.

“Madam CJN, Kudirat Kekere-Ekun has acted swiftly on this matter of age falsification by the Chief Judge of Imo State. She has done the right thing the right way.

“Hopefully, this sets a tone in the reshaping of judicial standards under her tenure as head of NJC,” Odinkalu said.