The National Judicial Council (NJC) has again overruled the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on the appointment of Chief Judge for the State’s Judiciary, directing him to immediately inaugurate the most senior Judge in the state into the office.

The Council insisted that the Governor must act in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to resolve the judicial logjam he created on the appointment rather than using his own whims and caprices .that are contrary to the laws of the country.

NJC in its latest action, sanctioned Justice T. N. Nzeukwu for making himself available to Uzodinma to be unlawfully inaugurated as Imo Chief Judge despite knowing he was fourth and not first in the hierarchy of Judges of the Imo State Judiciary.

The unlawful conduct of Justice Nzeukwu was said to be contrary to Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and is therefore to be compulsorily retired from service as punishment.

The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice V. U. Okorie who chaired the Commission that nominated Justice Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge was however absolved, having dissented on record against the recommendation to appoint Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge.

NJC and Uzodinma have been on warpath in the last one year over which side has the Constitutional rights to nominate and appoint a Chief Judge for Imo state.

While Uzodinma assumed the right in utter breach of the Constitutional provisions, NJC is insisting on the Constitution donated power to make recommendations to the Governor for the appointment to be lawful.

Meanwhile, 10 Judges on the bench of the State’s High Court of Justice have been recommended for compulsory retirement from duties for falsification of their own ages to confer undue advantages on themselves.

While nine of the Judges were found to have altered their dates of birth in their official records in order to confer on themselves the undue advantage of staying longer in service, the other Judicial Officer, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu ran foul of the law for presenting himself to be unlawfully inaugurated as Chief Judge.

The nine Judges found to have falsified their records comprised of five High Court Judges and four Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State.

The five High Court Judges are Justices M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi while the four from the Customary Court of Appeal are Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya and Rosemond Ibe.

NJC, however, dismissed, for want of merit, similar allegations against three Judges of the State High Court whose dates of birth were found to bear no discrepancy.

The three Judges whose dates of birth were found to bear no discrepancy are Justices I. O. Agugua, C. A. Ononeze-Madu and L. C. Azuama.

Six other High Court Judges of the State, whose dates of birth either had discrepancies but with acceptable explanations or with discrepancies arising from genuine correction of their dates of birth to their disadvantage, were also exonerated.

Two of them were given a clean bill of health owing to provision of acceptable explanation for discrepancies in their dates of birth and they are Hon Justices Vincent I. Onyeka and Vivian O. B. Ekezie.

However, NJC directed that Justices Onyeka and Ekezie must maintain the date of birth supplied by the Council of Legal Education in their official records.

Four other Judges absolved on account that they genuinely corrected their dates of birth to their disadvantage are Justice P. U. Nnodum, Alma Ngozi Eluwa, Matthew Chinedu Ijezie and Ononogbo Chidi Linus.

The decisions of the NJC were contained in a public statement by its Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Kemi Babalola Ogedegbe.

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‎PRESS RELEASE
‎PENSION: IGP ORDERS INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGATIONS IN VIRAL VIDEO TO ADDRESS CONCERNS; REASSURES OF COMMITMENT TO IMPROVED WELFARE
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‎The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, has ordered a thorough investigation into the allegations raised in a viral video by a retired Superintendent of Police concerning the welfare and retirement benefits of police pensioners. The IGP has tasked the NPF Pensions Limited to urgently examine the claims, identify any possible lapses, and ensure that appropriate action is taken to address the concerns raised.
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‎The Nigeria Police Force is not insensitive to the plight of its pensioners, many of whom dedicated their lives to the service and safety of our nation. The IGP views the welfare of both serving and retired officers as a priority and recognizes that timely and adequate pension administration is crucial to sustaining morale and institutional integrity. While efforts have consistently been made to improve the pension system, the IGP acknowledges the importance of constructive feedback in prompting necessary reforms.
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‎The IGP therefore reassures all officers, both serving and retired, and their families of the Force’s commitment to improved welfare, and to building a system that honours their sacrifices. He urges stakeholders to remain calm and patient as the NPF Pensions carries out its investigations and engages relevant agencies to ensure lasting solutions.
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‎ACP OLUMUYIWA ADEJOBI, mnipr, mipra, fCAI
‎FORCE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER,
‎FORCE HEADQUARTERS,
‎ABUJA.
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‎26TH JUNE 2025.

The Taraba State House of Assembly has dismissed circulating rumours of an alleged plot to impeach the Deputy Governor, Aminu Alkali.
The House, also affirmed that Alkali is steadily recovering from an undisclosed illness.

Addressing journalists in Jalingo, the state capital, the Chairman of the House Committee on Information, Nelson C. Len, said the 24-member Assembly had no plans to replace Alkali with the current Deputy Speaker or any other individual.

Len described the rumours as baseless and misleading, urging the public to disregard any claims suggesting the Assembly is considering removing the deputy governor from office.

“The health situation of the deputy governor is not in any way comparable to that of the late former Governor Danbaba Suntai, who suffered fatal injuries from a plane crash. Alhaji Alkali is responding to treatment and recuperating well,” Len stated.

He further clarified that the House has not constituted any medical panel to assess Alkali’s health, insisting that there is no justification for such action at this time.

Alkali, who has been absent from public functions for more than nine months, was recently flown back to Nigeria from Egypt and is reportedly receiving medical care in a hospital in Abuja.

His extended absence, as noticed by Ekwutosblog, had fueled speculation about his condition and prompted concerns over a possible leadership vacuum.

However, the Assembly reassured citizens that there is no constitutional crisis and that the leadership of the state remains stable.