We Didn’t Approve Imo Acting Chief Judge – NJC

The National Judicial Council has said it didn’t approve the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State.

While disassociating itself from the appointment, the NJC said Nzeukwu ranks fourth in the hierarchy of judges in the state.

In a statement signed by its Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, in Abuja on Friday, the Council stated that although it received a letter from Governor Hope Uzodimma requesting approval for Nzeukwu’s appointment, the NJC has yet to consider the request.

The Council urged the general public to note that it was not a party to the purported appointment.
The statement read, “The attention of the Council has been drawn to reports that the Governor of Imo State, His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma, CON, has purportedly appointed Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu — who is No. 4 in the seniority hierarchy of judges in the Imo State High Court — as the Acting Chief Judge of the state, following the recent disciplinary action taken against the former Chief Judge.

“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 NJC noted that although the governor outlined reasons why the first three senior judges were, in his view, not suitable for the role, the Council had not yet taken a position on the judge.