 has declared the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State null and void, directing Governor Hope Uzodinma to immediately reverse the decision and appoint the most senior judge in accordance with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution.){kind=link}
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has declared the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State null and void, directing Governor Hope Uzodinma to immediately reverse the decision and appoint the most senior judge in accordance with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution.
The resolution was reached 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.
According to a statement by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, Justice Nzeukwu was asked to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for accepting the appointment contrary to constitutional guidelines.
Similarly, Justice V.U. Okorie, President of the Imo Customary Court of Appeal, was directed to explain his role in recommending the appointment.
The Council also took disciplinary action against three judges, including Justice Jane Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, who was suspended for one year without pay.
She was found guilty of abusing her office by issuing inappropriate ex parte orders to sell a petrol station and other properties in a pending case.
Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court in Abuja was also suspended for one year and placed on a five-year watch list after delivering a ruling without hearing both parties in a criminal matter.
Similarly, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, was suspended for issuing restraining orders against law enforcement agencies and disregarding legal precedent. He was also placed on a three-year watch list.
The NJC issued a warning letter to Justice A.O. Awogboro of the Federal High Court, Lagos, and empaneled nine committees to investigate 27 other judicial officers over various allegations.
It dismissed 29 petitions and ruled that several others lacked merit or fell outside the required time frame for filing.
In a move to enhance transparency, the Council announced that the names of judicial candidates will henceforth be published to allow public input and objections.
The NJC also approved the voluntary retirement of Justice Babatunde Bakre and a name change for Justice I.A. Osayande, now to be known as Justice I.A. Dika of the Edo State High Court.