Di National Judicial Council, NJC, don suspend two judicial officers for one year without pay because of misconduct. Dem also issue queries to 256 judges over performance wey no reach standard. Di decision come from dia 111th meeting wey Chief Justice of Nigeria, Hon. Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, GCON, chair.
According to NJC, dem also recommend appointment of 12 new Justices for Court of Appeal to fill vacancies from retirements and elevations. Dem recommend one candidate for Judge of Benue State High Court, and two candidates as Kadis for Katsina State Sharia Court of Appeal. Di council extend appointment of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State for another three months, to allow process of appointing substantive Chief Judge finish.
NJC reinstate Justice T. N. Nze of Imo State Customary Court of Appeal after reviewing fresh evidence for im case. However, dem reject appeals from eight judges of Imo State Judiciary wey dem compulsorily retire over age falsification. Di council say di affected officers no bring fresh evidence to justify reversal of disciplinary action.
As part of performance assessment, NJC commend nine judges for outstanding judicial output. Two judges go receive formal commendation for delivering more than 21 considered judgments, while seven others go get letters of appreciation for exemplary performance on bench. Di council also approve retirement of three judicial officers, including two Justices of Court of Appeal and one Judge of Zamfara State High Court. Dem pay tribute to three officers wey die between December 2025 and April 2026, describing dia contributions as invaluable.
NJC reiterate commitment to maintain discipline, integrity and professionalism inside judiciary. Dem stress say judicial accountability essential to sustain public confidence for courts. Di disciplinary measures na to strengthen judicial institutions and improve quality of justice delivery across Nigeria.
Meanwhile, former Senator Sola Akinyede, wey represent Ekiti South, talk say di judiciary don suffer serious damage. For interview, im say maybe only 15 percent of judiciary still clean. Im call for structural reforms of NJC, wey im say dey dominated by one person—di Chief Justice of Nigeria—wey appoints 19 out of 23 members. Akinyede argue say dis make di council lack political will to discipline erring officers. Im propose say headship of NJC should shift to Nigerian Bar Association, and make non-lawyers from trade unions join di council.
Akinyede also point to cases like conflicting judgments for Kano governorship election, and federal high court handling Kano emirate matters wey lawyers know no get jurisdiction. Im say appellate courts dey use technicalities to protect themselves from prosecution, citing case of judge wey security agencies find foreign exchange for im account but escape punishment.
Di senatorial candidate bin commend Justice Aloma Mukhtar, first female Chief Justice, as example of fearless leadership. Im express hope say with women now leading both NJC and NBA, reform fit happen. But im warn say without structural change, any improvement fit disappear when new leaders come.
