The National Judicial Council (NJC) has overruled Governor Hope Uzodinma’s appointment of Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of the state.
It directed the reversal of the appointment.
The NJC, at its 108th meeting which ended in Abuja yesterday, also directed Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judge in the State High Court’s hierarchy as the acting CJ in conformity with Section 271 (4) of the Constitution.
According to a statement released late yesterday by NJC’s spokeswoman, Mrs. Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, the Council was of the view that the constitutional provision on the appointment of an acting CJ of a state does not give room for discretion.
The NJC resolved that Justice Nzeukwu should be issued a query to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for presenting himself to be sworn in as the acting CJ of Imo State.
It also resolved that the President of the state’s Customary Court of Appeal, Justice V. U. Okorie, Imo State, who acted as Interim Chairman of Imo State Judicial Service Commission and recommended the appointment of Justice Nzeukwu should also show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.
