By Charles Igbo
Imo women could not have asked for a better gift than they got from Senator Hope Uzodinma, a couple of days after Women’s Day, celebrated all over the world – the 8th day of March.
On the 12th of March, one of them was appointed the Acting Chief Judge of lmo state. By the appointment of Justice Ijeoma Agugua, Governor Uzodinma broke the jinx.
Since the creation of Imo State, this would be the first time a woman would be appointed to head the Judicial arm of government. And, it has brought so much joy to women.
Justice Agugua’s appointment had nothing to do with her gender. It was well deserved, and was expected by not a few.
For starters she is not only solid and well grounded, but for years, she has been the most senior Judge in the State. Her appointment as the Acting Chief Judge has given Imo women a sense of belonging and justice.
Until her appointment, Justice Agugua was the Administrative Judge of High Court Owerri, Imo State.
A release by Uzodinma’s Spokesperson, Oguwuike Nwachukwu, said the governor appointed Justice Agugua hours after the former Chief Judge, The Honourable Justice Paschal Nnadi retired.
Born on May 10, 1960, Justice Agugua attended Helen Kaunda Girls Secondary School, Kitwe, Zambia, from 1971 to 1974, and later obtained her West African School Certificate in 1975 from Ogidi Girls Secondary School, Ogidi, Anambra State. In 1977, Agugua obtained her HSC from Federal Government College, Port Harcourt.
She studied Law and obtained an LLB Hons in 1980 from the University of Lagos, and awarded a BL in 1981, after attending the Nigerian Law School, Lagos.
She was called to the bar in 1981.
Agugua has had a work pedigree in the judiciary that is enviable, particularly in the area of administration, since 1993 when she joined the High Court, after serving as Chief Magistrate.
Justice Agugua is a member of the International Bar Association (ISA) Judges Forum, and National Association of Women Judges of Nigeria (NAWJN)
She is married with three children.
A Knight of St Mary, Anglican Communion, Diocese of Egbu, the Acting Chief Judge, a deep thinker, loves writing, gardening and travelling.
