The National Judicial Council (NJC) has directed the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, to reverse the appointment of the Acting Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, and appoint the most senior judge as the Acting Chief Judge of the state.
The NJC, under the leadership of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, also directed 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 CJ.
Justice Nzeukwu was sworn in by Governor Uzodimma as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State on April 4.
The swearing-in of Nzeukwu came months after the former Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chikeka, was removed by the National Judicial Council (NJC) following an indictment for age falsification.
However, the NJC also directed the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State, Justice V. U. Okorie, who acted as Interim Chairman of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission and recommended the appointment of Justice Nzeukwu to show cause within seven days why disciplinary action should not be taken against him for his complicity in the recommendation.
According to the statement by the Deputy Director of Information of the NJC, Kemi Ogedengbe Babalola, the council took the decisions at its 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025.
