Again, NJC overrules Gov Uzodinma over Imo Chief Judge, fires 10 judges

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has again overruled the Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodinma on the appointment of Chief Judge for the State’s Judiciary, directing him to immediately inaugurate the most senior Judge in the state into the office.

The Council insisted that the Governor must act in line with the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to resolve the judicial logjam he created on the appointment rather than using his own whims and caprices .that are contrary to the laws of the country.

NJC in its latest action, sanctioned Justice T. N. Nzeukwu for making himself available to Uzodinma to be unlawfully inaugurated as Imo Chief Judge despite knowing he was fourth and not first in the hierarchy of Judges of the Imo State Judiciary.

The unlawful conduct of Justice Nzeukwu was said to be contrary to Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended and is therefore to be compulsorily retired from service as punishment.

The President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice V. U. Okorie who chaired the Commission that nominated Justice Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge was however absolved, having dissented on record against the recommendation to appoint Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge.

NJC and Uzodinma have been on warpath in the last one year over which side has the Constitutional rights to nominate and appoint a Chief Judge for Imo state.

While Uzodinma assumed the right in utter breach of the Constitutional provisions, NJC is insisting on the Constitution donated power to make recommendations to the Governor for the appointment to be lawful.

Meanwhile, 10 Judges on the bench of the State’s High Court of Justice have been recommended for compulsory retirement from duties for falsification of their own ages to confer undue advantages on themselves.

While nine of the Judges were found to have altered their dates of birth in their official records in order to confer on themselves the undue advantage of staying longer in service, the other Judicial Officer, Justice T. N. Nzeukwu ran foul of the law for presenting himself to be unlawfully inaugurated as Chief Judge.

The nine Judges found to have falsified their records comprised of five High Court Judges and four Judges of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State.

The five High Court Judges are Justices M. E. Nwagboso, B. C. Iheka, K. A. Leaweanya, Okereke Chinyere Ngozi and Innocent Chidi Ibeawuchi while the four from the Customary Court of Appeal are Tennyson Nze, Ofoha Uchenna, Everyman Eleanya and Rosemond Ibe.

NJC, however, dismissed, for want of merit, similar allegations against three Judges of the State High Court whose dates of birth were found to bear no discrepancy.