Appointment Of Chief Justice: NJC Opposes Uzodinma, Sanctions Justices

The National Judicial Council (NJC) has stated its opposition to the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting Chief Justice of Imo State, declaring it as null and void.

It has also sanctioned other justices, members of the National Judicial Council, for what it considers unethical and legal breaches.

The NJC took the decisions rising from its 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.

In a statement released by the Council’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, It not only expressed its opposition to the appointment of an Acting Chief Judge in Imo, but directed the Governor, Senator Hope Uzodinma, to immediately appoint the most senior judicial officer in the state instead.

This it said is in conformity with Section 271 (4) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended).”

“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”, the National Judicial Council stated.

It also gave a 7-day ultimatum on Justice Nzeukwu to show cause why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as acting Chief Judge of Imo State, contrary to constitutional stipulations.

It also mandated the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State,  Justice V. U. Okorie, who presided over the Judicial Service Commission to, within 7 days, show cause “why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.”

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Aside the issue with the appointment Of Chief Justice in Imo State, the council also suspended three judicial officers, including a sitting Justice of the Court of Appeal, for one year without pay.

Among those sanctioned are:

1. Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, over allegedly  abusing her office while serving as a judge of the Federal High Court, Uyo Judicial Division
2. Justice Jane E. Inyang over allegedly abusing his office by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders for the sale of Hon. Udeme Esset’s petrol station and other businesses at interlocutory stage of the case”, actions found to be in breach of Rule 3(5) of the Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
3. Suspended Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, for 1 year without pay and placed on a 5 year watch-list, during which he is barred from elevation, stating: “His Lordship delivered a ruling in a pending application without hearing the parties… proceeded to deliver a ruling dismissing the Charge against the Defendants,” which contravened Rules 3.1 and 3.3 of the 2016 Revised Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers.
4. Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was suspended for one year without pay and placed on a three-year watch-list.  He was found guilty of granting orders restraining security agencies from carrying out their statutory duties in Suit No. FHC/GS/CS/30/2021 (Government of Zamfara State vs EFCC), and for disregarding the doctrine of stare decisis.

On the other hand, the NJC issued a letter of caution to Justice A. O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos Division, over a petition filed in Suit No. FHC/CS/2021 between Chief Adesanya Musediku and the Assistant Inspector General of Police, Zone 2.

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IT has also set up committees to investigate 27 judicial officers over various allegations, while dismissing 29 petitions and placed several others in abeyance pending appellate court decisions.

“Council equally considered the report of its Preliminary Complaints Assessment Committee, which contained a total number of 43 petitions. Nine Committees were empanelled for further investigation of eleven petitions, while 29 petitions were dismissed for lacking in merit”, the release added.

The appointment of Chief Justice remains a contentious issue in the countr