Victoria Ogunyemi
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has distanced itself from the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
In a statement released on Friday in Abuja, the Council clarified that it has not approved the governor’s request for Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment.
The statement, signed by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, emphasized that while Governor Uzodimma had written to the Council seeking approval for Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment, the NJC has yet to deliberate on the request.
The Council explained that the governor’s letter provided justifications for bypassing the three most senior judges in the Imo State High Court in favor of Justice Nzeukwu, who ranks fourth in the judicial hierarchy.
However, the NJC has not reached a decision on the matter, as it is scheduled to review the request at its upcoming meeting on April 29–30, 2025.
“The National Judicial Council, by this press release, wishes to clarify to the public that the Governor of Imo State had earlier written to the Council seeking approval to appoint Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge, despite his position in the judicial hierarchy,” the statement read.
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The NJC stressed that any claims suggesting that the appointment had been sanctioned by the Council are incorrect. It reiterated that the governor’s request remains under consideration and has not been approved.
“The Council wishes to inform the public that the letter in question has not yet been considered, as deliberation on the request is scheduled for the next Council meeting,” the NJC added.
This clarification follows the removal of the former Acting Chief Judge of the state due to disciplinary measures, a move that prompted the governor to seek a replacement. However, the NJC’s stance suggests that the governor’s unilateral appointment of Justice Nzeukwu is not in line with judicial protocols.
As the situation unfolds, legal and political stakeholders are closely watching how the NJC will rule on the matter in its forthcoming meeting.