The National Judicial Council (NJC) has suspended two judicial officers for one year without salaries over misconduct and issued queries to 256 judges over concerns about their performance.
The decisions were taken at the council’s 111th meeting, chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
The NJC said the disciplinary measures were part of ongoing efforts to strengthen accountability and maintain high standards in the Nigerian judiciary.
The council also approved the appointment of 12 Justices of the Court of Appeal to fill vacancies created by retirements and promotions.
In addition, it 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 to improve the administration of justice.
The NJC also extended the tenure of Justice Ijeoma Agugua as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State by another three months.
According to the council, the extension will allow more time to complete the appointment process for a substantive Chief Judge.
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 fresh 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 said the judges failed to provide new evidence strong enough to overturn its earlier decision.
The NJC also recognised the outstanding performance of nine judges during the review period.
Two of the judges will receive official commendations for delivering more than 21 considered judgments, while the remaining seven will receive letters of appreciation for their performance.
The council further approved the retirement of three judicial officers, including two Justices of the Court of Appeal and a judge of the Zamfara State High Court, and commended them for their years of service to the judiciary.
It also paid tribute to three judicial officers who died between December 2025 and April 2026, acknowledging their contributions to Nigeria’s justice system.
