By Adesina Soyooye

The Imo State Government has said it would implement the directive of the National Judicial Council, NJC, which sacked the State’s Acting Chief Judge, the Honourable Justice  Theophilus Nzeukwu from office.

Governor Hope Uzodinma appointed Justice Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge on the recommendation of the State’s Judicial Commission months after the NJC sacked the substantive Chief Judge, Theresa Chikeka, for falsifying her age.

However, Uzodinma, who had written to the NJC and forwarded Nzeukwu’s name to it, did not wait for a response before he swore him in as the acting Chief Judge.

The Governor’s action met with stiff opposition from the Owerri Branch of the Nigerian Bar Association who described the appointment as illegal because Nzeukwu is the number four most senior Judge in the State and not number one. The branch wrote a petition to the NJC  which, unhappy with the appointment, dissociated itself from it on the grounds that the appointment was in breach of the Constitution.

On Wednesday, at its 108th Meeting, the NJC wielded the big stick and directed the Governor to remove, with immediate effect, Justice Nzeukwu from office as the Acting Chief Judge and appoint the most senior Judge in the State to that position.

A statement signed by the Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, explained that the Governor acted in good faith when he appointed Nzeukwu. Emelumba also said that the Government would implement the directive of the NJC.

The statement reads: “The Imo State Government has reviewed the decisions reached by the National Judicial Council (NJC), at its 108th  meeting, particularly, the Council’s position on the appointment of an Acting Chief Judge of the State.

“His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodinma, CON, Governor of Imo State, made the appointment of Honourable Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge, based on credible reports available to him at the time which indicated that Justice Nzeukwu was the most senior Judicial Officer not encumbered by unresolved issues. This position, along with the supporting circumstances was duly communicated to the NJC.

“The Government respects the wisdom of NJC in the discharge of its statutory duties and recognises the advisory constitutional role of the body in Judicial appointments.

Consequently, the Government acknowledges and accepts the Council’s latest position on the matter.

“While the appointment was made in good faith and within the bounds of the law, the Government of Imo State will, in line with its longstanding respect for due process and the judiciary, comply with the NJC’s recommendation.

“Accordingly, steps are being taken to implement the decision of the National Judicial Council.”

“The State will pay the second tranche of pensioners’ gratuities, and buy  more buses for civil servants.”

Imo Workers, Thursday, May 1, 2025, joined their counterparts all over the world to celebrate the Workers Day at the Ndubuisi Kalu Square, Owerri.

They did with pomp and circumstance with dance, appearing in different colourful apparel and marched past to salute the number one man on their day.

Addressing the workers who came out in their numbers and in solidarity, Governor Hope Uzodimma commended them for the mood of the celebration which he likened to the healthy relationship that exists between their Labour Unions and the government and their collective resolve to deal with the welfare of the workers in Imo State.

Governor Uzodimma who congratulated the workers, and assured them that all issues relating to shortfalls in the payment of consequential adjustment in the new minimum wage and promotions will be resolved, however urged them to “always adopt dialogue rather than  confrontation as means of resolving  differences.”

He recalled and regretted that for many years before 2020, Imo workers suffered abandonment by previous administrations without promotions, suffered manipulated payroll system, irregular payment of pensions, and non payment of gratuities for well over 15 years.

Governor Uzodimma noted that 2025 May Day celebration calls for a reflection on the greater path that the Imo workers have trod until now they are enjoying the automated payroll system, regular payment of salaries and pensions as well as payment of gratuities to retired workers, and the promise to commence payment of the second tranche of gratuities to pensioners.

“You have every reason to smile today and be happy,” he stated.

The Governor disclosed that plans are underway for special salary scale for teachers and medical personnel.

“We insensitive to attract the best hands in these sectors because we understand the critical role they play in shaping our future,” he explained, and thanked the State House of Assembly for repealing the obsolete laws preventing reforms in the health sector, and making new laws to drive the health care in the State.

The new laws, he said, would allow Public Private Partnership (PPP) in the Health  Management System, to steer and provide effective and quality health care to Imo  people.

Governor Uzodimma used the opportunity to encourage the civil servants to enroll in the Health Insurance Scheme initiated by his government as the benefits cannot be measured.

The Governor also promised to increase the number of buses in the fleet that takes civil servants to and fro office, but charged workers to strive to be civil in their conduct and actions as government will not tolerate indolence and corrupt practices.

Earlier, the Chairman Nigeria Labour Congress, Imo State Council, Comrade  Chigemezu Nwigwe, on behalf of the leadership of the Labour Unions in the State, expressed appreciation to the Governor for his friendly disposition to workers and for the regular payment of salaries and pensions to verified workers and pensioners.

He further commended the Governor for giving Imo workers a sense of belonging through the provision of buses to transport  them to and fro work as well, and making the State Secretariat a most conducive place to work.

Nwigwe further thanked the Governor for the commencement of the payment of the long abandoned gratuities of pensioners and appealed for the exercise to continue because of those who are yet to be paid.

He assured of the support and cooperation of Imo workers to the growth and development of the State.