Metro
Three Judges Suspended As NJC Voids Imo Acting CJ’s Appointment

The National Judicial Council has declared the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge of Imo State void, directing the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately reverse the decision and appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The decision was part of the resolutions taken at the NJC’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement released by the Council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, the NJC “directed the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state High Court’s hierarchy as the acting Chief Judge of the state in conformity with Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”
Citing the constitutional provision, the NJC stated:“If the office of the Chief Judge of a state is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions.”
The Council further directed Justice Nzeukwu to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Imo State, contrary to constitutional stipulations.
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It also took disciplinary measures against the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice V. U. Okorie, who presided over the Judicial Service Commission (meeting that recommended Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment.
Justice Okorie was similarly asked to also show cause within seven days “why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.”
In a broader move targeting judicial misconduct, the NJC suspended three judicial officers, including a sitting Justice of the Court of Appeal, for one year without pay.
Among those sanctioned is Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, who was found to have abused her office while serving as a judge of the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division.
The NJC said,“Hon. Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at interlocutory stage of the case.”
According to the NJC, Justice Inyang’s actions were found to be in breach of Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
The misconduct took place in Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023 before her elevation to the Court of Appeal.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was also suspended for one year without pay and placed on a five-year watch-list, during which he is barred from elevation.
The NJC found that: “His Lordship delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties… proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the Charge against the Defendants,” which contravened Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
Similarly, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was suspended for one year without pay and placed on a three-year watch-list.
He was found guilty of granting orders restraining security agencies from carrying out their statutory duties in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 (Government of Zamfara State vs EFCC), and for disregarding the doctrine of stare decisis.
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The NJC also issued a letter of caution to Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, over a petition filed in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021 between Chief Adesanya Musediku and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2.
Other disciplinary matters included the empaneling of nine committees to investigate 27 judicial officers over various allegations.
The council also dismissed 29 petitions and placed several others in abeyance pending appellate court decisions.
It noted: “Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which contained a total number of 43 petitions. Nine Committees were empanelled for further investigation of eleven petitions, while 29 petitions were dismissed for lacking in merit.”
The NJC also considered and rejected a petition challenging the 2022 judicial appointment exercise in Zamfara State.
The petitioner, Mahmud Aliyu, was found to be “an interested party who had indicated interest but was not selected.”
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The council concluded his allegations were “unsubstantiated and substantially based on falsehood” and barred him from future participation in judicial appointment processes.
Furthermore, the NJC dismissed a petition challenging the recruitment process for six Federal High Court judges in 2021, citing a violation of Section 11(1) of the Judicial Discipline Regulations, which requires complaints to be filed within six months of the alleged event.
Significantly, the NJC also resolved to make the appointment of judicial officers more transparent by inviting public input, stating: “Henceforth, the names of candidates being considered for appointment as judicial officers to superior courts of records will be published for information and comments by the public.”
The aim, it said, is “to solicit comments from the public where there is objection to the integrity, reputation and/or competence of the candidates by opening the process to public participation and scrutiny.”
The council also accepted the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Bakre and approved a name change for Justice I. A. Osayande of the Edo State High Court, now to be known as Hon. Justice I. A. Dika.
(PUNCH)
Metro
Nnamdi Kanu Files Fresh Motion, Asks Court To Strike Out All Charges

The detained leader of the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB, Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, has filed a fresh motion before the Federal High Court in Abuja, seeking the dismissal of all charges against him and his immediate release.
In the motion dated October 30, 2025, and titled “Motion on Notice and Written Address in Support,” Kanu argued that there is no valid charge against him under any existing law in Nigeria. He said the charges currently before the court are “a nullity ab initio for want of any extant legal foundation.”
The IPOB leader, who is representing himself, filed the motion under Sections 1(3), 6(6)(b), and 36(12) of the 1999 Constitution, the Evidence Act 2011, and the Terrorism (Prevention and Prohibition) Act 2022.
He maintained that the prosecution relied on repealed and non-existent laws, including the Customs and Excise Management Act (CEMA), which was repealed by the Nigeria Customs Service Act 2023, and the Terrorism Prevention (Amendment) Act 2013, repealed by the TPPA 2022.
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Kanu said the reliance on such repealed laws violates Section 36(12) of the Constitution, which prohibits trial for an offence not defined under an existing law. He therefore urged the court to strike out the charges in their entirety, insisting they do not constitute any offence known to law.
Citing the Supreme Court’s decision in FRN v. Kanu (SC/CR/1361/2022), he argued that lower courts are bound to take judicial notice of repealed laws under Section 122 of the Evidence Act 2011, adding that failure to do so renders all proceedings void.
Kanu also contended that the counts against him were allegedly committed in Kenya, in violation of Section 76(1)(d)(iii) of the TPPA 2022, which requires validation by a Kenyan court before such acts can be tried in Nigeria. He said this omission nullifies the court’s extraterritorial jurisdiction and breaches Article 7(2) of the African Charter on Human and Peoples’ Rights.
READ ALSO:Drama As Kanu Lists Danjuma, Wike, Sanwo-Olu As Witnesses
He further maintained that under Sections 1(3) and 36(12) of the Constitution, any law or judicial act inconsistent with the Constitution is void. He cited previous court decisions such as Aoko v. Fagbemi (1961) 1 All NLR 400 and FRN v. Ifegwu (2003) 15 NWLR (Pt 842) 113, where convictions based on non-existent laws were nullified.
Kanu urged the court to direct the prosecution to respond to his motion strictly on points of law within three days and to deliver a ruling on or before November 4, 2025.
He stated that his application raises only constitutional and legal questions derived from existing laws and therefore does not require an affidavit.
Metro
16-year-old Killed As NDLEA Operatives, Drug Barons Clash In Edo

Operatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Edo State Command, and drug barons reportedly clashed at Okpuje, Uzeba community in Owan West Local Government Area, leading to the death of a 16 -years -old boy, identified as Emmanuel Monday George.
Two others identified as God’spower Omage (20 years) and Ajayi Irobia (54 years), were said to have sustained serious injuries during the gun duel which reportedly happened on Monday.
Mitchell Ofoyeju, state commander of the NDLEA disclosed this in a statement made available to newsmen in Benin on Thursday.
READ ALSO:NDLEA Unveils Digital Platform For Drug Integrity Test, Visa Clearance Certificate
Ofoyeju said that one of its officers sustained an injury after being struck on the hand with a sharp object.
Recall that Army and NDLEA officers were recently attacked by drug barons in the agrarian community, notable for cannabis cultivation.
Metro
JUST IN: Fire Guts Store At Abuja Mall

A fire incident occurred at the Jabi Lake Mall, Abuja in the early hours of Thursday.
The cause of the fire, which started around 3am, could not be ascertained as of the time of filing this report.
It was gathered that only the Adidas Sports shop was affected.
It was further gathered that firefighters from the Federal Fire Service, the Berger Fire Department, and the FCT Fire Service, as well as police officers, were deployed to the scene.
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A resident of Jabi, Saliu, who informed our correspondent of the incident, said the fire had been contained.
He said, “Around 3am., this morning, there was a fire incident at the Jabi Lake Mall in Abuja. No loss of life or injury was recorded. Only the Adidas Sports shop was affected by the fire.”
The FCT police spokesperson, Josephine Adeh, confirmed the incident to The PUNCH.
Adeh said police officers were deployed to the location to secure the area and prevent looting.
“We received a distress call at about 3:40 a.m. We immediately deployed our men there to secure the place and prevent any breach of public order,” she said.
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