Imo Chief Judge's Appointment Considered Invalid by NJC; Judges Face Disciplinary Measures by the Council
In a surprising move, the National Judicial Council (NJC) has trampled on Governor Hope Uzodinma's decision to install Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State. The NJC, chaired by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, declared Nzeukwu's appointment null and void, ordering an immediate about-face from the governor.
The NJC's decision, and the rambunctious statement that followed, was a response to a breach of the constitution regarding the appointment process for an acting chief judge. In a terse statement from the NJC's Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, the council demanded that Uzodinma promptly appoint the most senior judge of the High Court to take up the roles and responsibilities of the Acting Chief Judge.
Babalola referenced the constitution's clear directive: "If the office of the Chief Judge of a state is vacant or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office, then, until a person has been appointed to and has assumed the functions of that office, or until the person holding the office has resumed those functions, the governor shall appoint the most senior Judge of the High Court to perform those functions."
The NJC wasted no time in targeting Justice Nzeukwu and Justice V. U. Okorie, President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State, for their role in the messy ordeal. Both judges were given a seven-day period to provide explanations for their conduct, with preemptive talk of disciplinary action swirling ominously in the air.
The NJC's hardline stance continued in a broader crackdown on judicial misconduct. The council suspended three judicial officers, including a sitting Justice of the Court of Appeal. These undisciplined individuals were harshly penalized for their actions, some even receiving a three-year watchlist.
To address the issue of transparency, the NJC announced a new policy of publishing potential judicial candidates' names for public scrutiny and comment. The aim is to control judicial appointments responsibly and provide greater assurance that the selected candidates enjoy public acclaim for their integrity, reputation, and competence.
The NJC also cleared the air on several petitions, including those challenging the recruitment process for Federal High Court judges. However, a petition concerning the 2022 judicial appointment exercise in Zamfara State was dismissed, with the petitioner found to be factually baseless.
Lastly, the NJC approved the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Bakre and granted Justice I. A. Osayande of the Edo State High Court a new name: Hon. Justice I. A. Dika.
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- The National Judicial Council (NJC) has countered Governor Hope Uzodinma's decision to appoint Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as Imo State's Acting Chief Judge, declaring his appointment null and void.
- The NJC, chaired by Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, has ordered Governor Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judge of the High Court to take up the roles and responsibilities of the Acting Chief Judge, in accordance with the constitution.
- In a broader crackdown on judicial misconduct, the NJC suspended three judicial officers, including a sitting Justice of the Court of Appeal, for their actions, with some receiving a three-year watchlist.
- In an effort to increase transparency, the NJC announced a new policy of publishing potential judicial candidate names for public scrutiny and comment.
- The NJC also addressed various petitions, dismissing one concerning the 2022 judicial appointment exercise in Zamfara State, but approving the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Bakre and granting Justice I. A. Osayande of the Edo State High Court a new name.
- Beyond the judicial realm, Governor Uzodinma has made headlines in the political world, predicting unstoppable waves of defections to the APC and warning the opposition against attempting to take power. (Bonus reads: 2027: Uzodinma Predicts Unstoppable Wave Of Defections To APC, Hails Party's Growing Popularity)
