Governor Hope Uzodimma of Imo State has recalled the disgraceful circumstances which led to the sack of the immediate past Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Theresa Chikeka.
The Governor spoke Wednesday evening, April 2, 2025, when he swore-in the Honourable Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of the State pending confirmation by the National Judicial Council, NJC.
Uzodimma, also, at same ceremony, swore-in two new Commissioners as members of his Cabinet- Professor Bernard Ikegwuoha and Dr (Mrs.) Chioma Egu.
They were sworn-in at the Executive Council Chambers, Government House, Owerri in the presence of officials from the Three Arms of Government and critical stakeholders from the State.
Justice Chikeka was sacked by the NJC after she was investigated and indicted of age falsification.
Speaking after he administered the oath of office on the Acting CJ, the Governor reiterated his commitment to ensuring a most dependable and responsible judiciary in Imo State. He, also described as disgraceful the manner Chikeka was removed from office by the NJC, and the events that followed thereafter. He, therefore, warned against a repeat of the “dishonourable incident where a Chief Judge is suddenly removed from office for such an ugly indictment of age falsification.”
He disclosed that the incident provoked his Government to collaborate with the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) for a record check to ensure that all Judges appointed by Imo State Government have clear and clean records that will not lead to any form of disrepute by any mandate given to any of them.
The Governor noted that the appointment of Justice Nzeukwu in Acting capacity followed a “painstaking review and findings of the JSC, and in accordance with the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.”
He therefore charged the JSC to expedite action that will help in producing a substantive Chief Judge for the State.
The Governor used the occasion to call on
all Judicial Officers in the State to see their mandate as a sacred one.
“You must do only those things that would be acceptable to both God and man. Always discharge your duties with the fear of God and bring justice and equity to the people of Imo State,” he advised.
To the new Acting Chief Judge, the Governor entrusted him to bring dignity back to the service and prayed God to protect and guide him in his new office.
Addressing the new Commissioners, Governor Uzodimma reminded them that they were appointed to come and add value to the system, and urged them to do just that.
He noted that rejigging of the system helps in ensuring that the people are served better, and encouraged them to work with their colleagues to serve Imo citizens well.
In his acceptance remarks for the job of Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Nzeukwu expressed gratitude to the Governor and the Judicial Service Commission for finding him worthy for the appointment, and assured that he will not betray the confidence reposed on him.
He acknowledged that the Judiciary has been grappling with the issue of corruption in many spheres but maintained that under his watch in Imo State as the Acting Chief Judge such era was over.
“We want to send out a message loud and clear that it cannot be business as usual.The time has come to restore the confidence of the populace in the judiciary by truly ensuring that the judiciary indeed becomes the last hope of the common man,” Justice Nzeukwu averred.
He however expressed optimism that the future of judiciary in Imo State is bright and appealed to the judiciary staff to be patient and “resist the temptation of being controlled by people, money or past experiences.”
Also speaking on behalf of the newly sworn- in Commissioners, Prof Ikegwuoha who had earlier served as a Commissioner for Education, thanked the Governor for, “the distinct privilege” of appointing them to serve in his Executive Council.
He promised that they will persistently work to uplift the single reason why they were appointed.
The Deputy Governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru, the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chike Olemgbe, his deputy, Rt. Hon Amara Iwuanyanwu, Secretary to the State Government, Chief Cosmos Iwu, Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, Members of the Imo State expanded Executive Council, Clerk of the House, Barr Chinelo Emeghara, senior judicial officials from Imo State, members of the Judicial Service Commission, and key stakeholders such as Chief Tony Chukwu, witnessed the swearing in ceremony.
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