 has clarified that it did not approve the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State.){kind=link}
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has clarified that it did not approve the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
Disassociating itself from the development, the NJC emphasized that Justice Nzeukwu holds the fourth position in the seniority ranking among judges in the state.
In a statement issued on Friday in Abuja and signed by Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, the Council confirmed it had received a letter from Governor Hope Uzodimma requesting approval for Nzeukwu’s appointment. However, it stressed that the request had not yet been considered.
The NJC urged the public to disregard any reports suggesting it was involved in 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 Council further noted that although the governor had provided reasons why the three most senior judges were, in his opinion, unfit for the role, the NJC had not yet reached a decision on the matter.