Uzodimma has no approval to appoint acting Imo CJ — NJC

The National Judicial Council (NJC) on Friday said it has not given approval to the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodimma, to appoint an acting Chief Judge for the state.

The Council, in a statement by its Deputy Director of Information, Mrs Kemi Ogedengbe, said it is not a party to the process of the purported appointment of Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State.

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The NJC’s clarification followed the news making rounds that Governor Uzodimma had purportedly appointed Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is No. 4 in the hierarchy of Judges seniority in Imo State High Court, as the acting Chief Judge of the State, in view of the recent disciplinary action taken against the erstwhile Chief Judge of the State.

The statement explained that, the Governor of Imo State had earlier written to the Council requesting for its approval to appoint Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, who is No. 4 in the hierarchy of seniority as acting Chief Judge of the State.

“The Governor, in his correspondence to the Council, gave reasons why, in his own view, the three most senior Judges are not appointable.

“The Council is informing the public that the said letter is yet to be considered, as deliberation on the request is slated for the next Council meeting, which is scheduled to hold on 29th and 30th April, 2025,” the NJC statement said.

Ogedengbe said, the Governor’s request is yet to be considered by the Council, which has not given approval for the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge.