Imo Judiciary: Justice Nzeukwu, Most Senior To Be Acting Chief Judge, Says Imo Govt

Imo State Government has described the recently sworn-in Acting Chief Judge of the State, Hon Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, as the most senior Judge in the State and, therefore,  qualified to hold the position.

According to a statement by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon Declan Emelumba, Hon Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment was sequel to the removal of the former Chief Judge from office

He explained that ” as a result of the dismissal of the former Chief Judge, Hon Justice Theresa Chikeka for age falsification, the Judicial Service Commission of Imo State took time to go through the records of Judicial Officers in Imo State. After the exercise, it was confirmed that Hon Justice Nzeukwu was most senior to occupy the position, by all available records.

The Commissioner emphasized that Hon Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment came after a thorough personnel audit of the Judiciary by the State Judicial Service Commission which discovered that Hon Justice Nzeukwu was the most senior by records

The Governor, therefore, in exercise of his powers, pursuant to section 271(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, now appointed Hon Justice Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge, the statement added.

For the records, the confirmation, however,  of Nzeukwu as the substantive Chief Judge, or otherwise, is the responsibility of the NJC.

The NJC in a statement where it distanced itself from the appointment of the Action Chief Judge by Uzodinma said that the Judge the Governor appointed, far from being the most senior in rank, comes in as number four. The NJC, also, said that the letter from the Governor to the Commission,  asking for permission to appoint an Acting Chief Judge, was still pending.