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….Lawyers: “Governor playing politics with Imo judiciary”
Hope Uzodimma, the governor of Imo State is yet to appoint a new Chief Judge for the State, seven months after the previous Chief Judge was sacked and five weeks after the National Judicial Council nullified his earlier appointment.
This is also as the governor has sacked the Attorney General (AG) of the State, Barr. Cyprian Akaolisa, without making a replacement till date.
This judicial gap comes at a critical time for Imo’s judiciary, as lawyers have been calling for the appointment of a Chief Judge to give direction, assign cases, and administer of the justice system in the state.
Unfortunately, in the last seven months, the state has been without a Chief Judge.
At the NJC’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the NJC declared the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge of Imo State void, directing the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately reverse the decision and appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state in line with the provisions of the 1999 Constitution.
The NJC “directed the Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma 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).”
Citing the constitutional provision, the NJC stated: “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.”
It also took disciplinary measures against the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice V. U. Okorie, who presided over the Judicial Service Commission (meeting that recommended Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment.
Justice Okorie was similarly asked to also show cause within seven days “why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.
However, as of Sunday, 8th June, Mr Uzodimma has yet to make any appointments based on the NJC directive.
The magic by Imo governor
In April, Governor Uzodimma swore in Justice Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge, five months after the state had been without a Chief Judge.
The vacancy arose following the NJC’s recommendation for the immediate retirement of the former Chief Judge, Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka, over allegations of age.
The NJC had previously, at its 107th meeting held on November 13 and 14, 2024, recommended the compulsory retirement of the former Chief Judge, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, along with the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana, for falsification of age.
In defense of the appointment, the Imo State government, through its Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, described Justice Nzeukwu as “the most senior judge in the state and therefore qualified to hold the position.” According to Emelumba, the appointment followed a thorough personnel audit of the judiciary by the state Judicial Service Commission, which allegedly discovered that Justice Nzeukwu was the most senior by records.
“As a result of the dismissal of the former Chief Judge, Hon Justice Chikeka for age falsification, the Judicial Service Commission of Imo State took time to go through the records of judicial officers in Imo State. After the exercise, it was confirmed that Hon Justice Nzeukwu was the most senior to occupy the position, by all available records,” Emelumba stated.
The government maintains that the Governor acted “in exercise of his powers, pursuant to section 271(4) of the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended” in appointing Justice Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge.
Justice Nzeukwu, who was sworn in alongside two new commissioners, Prof. Bernard Thompson Ikegwuoha and Dr. Vivian Egu, at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers at the Douglas House, Owerri, hails from Egwedu-Atta Autonomous Community in the Njaba local government area of Imo State.
Removed without reason
On the other hand, Imo State governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma sacked the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, Barr. Cyprian Akaolisa.
A statement issued by the state Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, in Owerri, noted that the sack was with immediate effect.
Without any reason for the dismissal, the governor directed Akaolisa to hand over all government property in his possession to the Permanent Secretary of the ministry.
What this means
Many legal practitioners have condemned the situation as hampering the administration of justice delivery in the state.
Reacting also, the former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association, Imo state, Barr. Lawrence Nwakaeti maintained that Governor Hope Uzodimma, by his actions, has shown little or no regard for the judiciary and the rule of law in the state.
This follows the inability of the governor to appoint a Chief Judge for the state seven months after the former Chief Judge, Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka was sacked from office over an age falsification scandal.
Nwakaeti said there are many competent and qualified practitioners in Imo to choose from if indeed the Governor had any genuine respect for the judiciary and legal practice in the state.
He said: “Regrettably, Imo also has no Attorney General presently and these two are constitutional roles in the judiciary that help in the efficient running and administration of the judicial system.
“The moment you are 10 years in practice, you are qualified for the position of the Chief Judge or Attorney General, but these people want to always do it their own way and that is why we are where we are.
“To say the least, this governor is playing politics with the judiciary and legal profession. The Bar has complained, the NJC after rejecting the flawed nomination had given them seven days to appoint the most senior Judge as Acting Chief Judge. Five weeks after the NJC directive, Imo still has no Chief Judge. They have reduced the institution of the judiciary to a play thing for political games and patronage.”
