The National Judicial Council (NJC) has directed the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to reverse the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, and appoint the most senior judge as the Acting Chief Judge of the state.
The NJC, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also directed that Justice Nzeukwu should be issued a query to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as the CJ.
In 2024, the NJC had recommended Chukwuemeka Chikeka, former chief judge of the state, for compulsory retirement with effect from October 27, 2021, over age falsification.
On April 3, Uzodimma swore in Nzeukwu as the state’s acting chief judge, but the NJC on April 4 said it did not approve the appointment.
In a statement issued after its 108th meeting held in Abuja between April 29 and 30, the council directed Uzodimma to appoint the most senior judge in the high court’s hierarchy as the acting chief judge in conformity with section 271 (4) of the 1999 Constitution.
The NJC resolved to issue Nzeukwu a query to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for accepting the appointment.
The NJC also directed V.U. Okorie, the president of the Imo state customary court of appeal, to explain within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for recommending Nzeukwu’s appointment while serving as interim chairman of the Imo state Judicial Service Commission.
The council also suspended three serving judicial officers, including a justice of the court of appeal, Jane E. Inyang, for one year each without pay for various acts of judicial misconduct.
Inyang Ekwo, the judge of the federal high court, Abuja, has also been suspended for one year without pay, placed on a watch list for five years, and barred from elevation for five years.
The council also suspended Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the federal high court, Zamfara Division, for a period of one year without pay for judicial misconduct.
He is to be placed on a watchlist for three years and is barred from elevation.
