The National Judicial Council (NJC) has once again clashed with Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma over the appointment of the state’s Chief Judge, directing the governor to immediately swear in the most senior judge as required by the Constitution of Nigeria. The NJC accused Uzodinma of causing a judicial crisis by attempting to appoint a Chief Judge based on personal preference rather than constitutional provisions.
In a decisive move, the NJC sanctioned Justice T. N. Nzeukwu for allowing himself to be unlawfully inaugurated as Imo State Chief Judge by Governor Uzodinma, despite being fourth in the judicial hierarchy. This action violated Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution, as amended, leading to Nzeukwu’s compulsory retirement as punishment. The NJC, however, cleared Justice V. U. Okorie, President of the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal, who had dissented against Nzeukwu’s nomination as acting Chief Judge.
The NJC’s ongoing dispute with Uzodinma centers on the constitutional authority to nominate and appoint the Chief Judge. While the NJC insists on its constitutional mandate to recommend candidates, Uzodinma has been accused of flouting these provisions, exacerbating tensions over the past year.
In a separate action, the NJC recommended the compulsory retirement of 10 judges from Imo State’s High Court and Customary Court of Appeal for falsifying their dates of birth to extend their service tenure. The affected judges include High Court Judges M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi, and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi, as well as Customary Court of Appeal Judges Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya, and Rosemond Ibe. Justice Nzeukwu was also included in this group due to his unlawful inauguration.
Conversely, the NJC dismissed similar allegations against three High Court Judges—I. O. Agugua, C. A. Ononeze-Madu, and L. C. Azuama—whose records showed no discrepancies. Six other judges were exonerated, including Justices Vincent I. Onyeka and Vivian O. B. Ekezie, who provided acceptable explanations for discrepancies, and Justices P. U. Nnodum, Alma Ngozi Eluwa, Matthew Chinedu Ijezie, and Ononogbo Chidi Linus, who corrected their dates of birth to their disadvantage. The NJC directed Onyeka and Ekezie to maintain the dates of birth listed by the Council of Legal Education.
The NJC’s decisions were announced in a public statement by its Deputy Director of Information, Mrs. Kemi Babalola Ogedegbe, underscoring the council’s commitment to upholding judicial integrity and constitutional compliance in Imo State.
