JUST IN: NJC DIRECTS UZODIMMA TO REVERSE IMO ACTING CJ’S APPOINTMENT
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The National Judicial Council has directed the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, to reverse the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of the State, Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu.
The Council further directed the governor to appoint the most senior judicial officer in the State High Court’s hierarchy as the acting Chief Judge of the State in conformity with Section 271(4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).
The position of the council on the controversial issue was made known in a statement signed by NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, on Wednesday night in Abuja.
The statement disclosed that the council, at its 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, resolved that the constitutional provision on the appointment of an acting chief judge of a state does not give room for discretion.
The statement further noted that Section 271(4) of the Constitution provides that “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 that office the governor shall appoint the most senior judge of the High Court to perform those functions.”
Meanwhile, the council also resolved that Justice Nzeukwu should be issued a query to show cause within seven (7) days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as the acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
While the NJC also resolved that the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice V. U. Okorie, who acted as the Interim Chairman of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission and recommended the appointment of Justice Nzeukwu, is required to show cause within 7 days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.
The council in its resolution further suspended three serving judicial officers, including a Justice of the Court of Appeal placed on 1-year suspension each without pay.
Specifically, in its resolution, the Council suspended Justice Jane E. Inyang, of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, for one year without pay.
The statement disclosed that the Investigation Committee found her to have breached Rule 3 (5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
“Justice Jane E. Inyang was found to have abused his office by issuing inappropriate Ex parte Orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at the interlocutory stage of the case.
“The act of judicial misconduct occurred while His Lordship presided over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, at the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division, before his elevation to Court of Appeal,” the statement said.
Also, Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, was also placed on suspension for one year without pay.
“His Lordship was also placed on the Watch List for five (5) years and barred from elevation for five (5) years.
“The complaints against Hon. Justice Ekwo arose from Charge No. FHC/ABJ/CR/184/2021, wherein His Lordship delivered a Ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties.
“His Lordship ignored an application to set aside the proceedings of the Court conducted in the absence of the parties. Subsequently, His Lordship proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the Charge against the Defendants.
“Consequently, His Lordship was found to have violated Rule 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” the statement read.
Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was also suspended for a period of one (1) year without pay for judicial misconduct.
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