– Gives Gov 7 Days Ultimatum To Appoint Most Senior Judge As Replacement
The National Judicial Council (NJC) has directed the Governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma to reverse the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of the state. The council maintained that in line with the section, “ 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the most senior judge of the Imo State High Court must be appointed to the position.
The NJC emphasized that the governor does not have the discretion to bypass seniority in the appointment of an acting chief judge”.
In another development, the Council suspended three judges, including a Justice of the Appeal Court for one year without salary over various acts of judicial misconduct.
“The disciplinary action was taken during the NJC’s 108th meeting held on April 29 and 30, 2025, and chaired by Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement released Wednesday night by the NJC’s Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Ogedengbe, the Council revealed that Justice Jane E. Inyang of the Court of Appeal, Uyo Division, was sanctioned for improperly issuing Ex parte Orders while still serving as a Federal High Court judge in Uyo.
According to the NJC, Justice Inyang issued orders for the sale of petrol stations and other properties owned by Udeme Esset during an interlocutory stage of a pending suit—an action deemed to have breached the Judicial Code of Conduct. The misconduct occurred while presiding over Suit No. FHC/UY/CS/46/2023, before her elevation to the appellate court.
Also suspended was Justice Inyang Ekwo of the Federal High Court, Abuja Division, who received a one-year suspension without pay and was placed on a five-year promotion ban. The NJC found that Justice Ekwo violated court procedure by delivering a ruling in a criminal matter without hearing the parties and ignored a motion seeking to reverse court proceedings held in the absence of the parties involved.
The third judge, Justice Aminu Baffa Aliyu of the Federal High Court, Zamfara Division, received a similar one-year suspension without pay for misconduct”.
