NJC Hands Off Appointment Of Chief Judge For Imo Judiciary

By Ayodele Oni

The National Judicial Council (NJC) and Imo State Governor,  Hope Uzodinma have disagreed over the appointment of a Chief Judge for the State.

Uzodimma had  appointed and sworn-in  Wednesday, April 2, 2025, the Honourable Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, allegedly, number four in the hierarchy of Judges’ seniority in Imo State High Court, on the recommendation of the State Judicial Commission,  as the Acting Chief Judge of the State, pending confirmation by the NJC.

The State has been without a Chief Judge, months after the NJC sacked Hon. Justice Theresa Chikeka for age falsification.

But the NJC has distanced itself from the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge.

The NJC, in a statement by its Deputy Director (Information), Mrs. Kemi Ogendengbe,  said it was yet to consider a request by Uzodinma to appoint Justice Nzeukwu who is currently number four in the hierarchy of Judges’ seniority in the Imo State High Court.

“The attention of the Council has been drawn to the news making rounds that the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, had purportedly appointed Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of Judges’ seniority in Imo State High Court, as the Acting Chief Judge of the state, in view of the recent disciplinary action taken against the erstwhile Chief Judge of the State.

“The National Judicial Council, by this press release, wants to clarify to the public that the Governor of Imo State had earlier written to the Council requesting for its approval to appoint Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is number four in the hierarchy of seniority as Acting Chief Judge of the State.

“The Governor, in his said correspondence to the Council, gave reasons why in his own view, the three most senior judges are not appointable.

“The Council is informing the public that the said letter is yet to be considered, as deliberation on the request is slated for the next Council Meeting, which is scheduled to hold on 29th and 30th April, 2025.

“The Council is, therefore, by this press release, informing the public that the Governor’s request is yet to be considered by the Council.

“The Council has not given approval to the Governor for the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge.

“The Council is not a party to the process of the purported appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge.”

The NJC had, at its 107th meeting held between November 13 and 14, 2024 recommended the compulsory retirement of the then Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka over alleged age falsification.

The NJC added: “The recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth: 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958.

“However, 27 October 1956 appeared to be the consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October 1958.”