Notary publics on the aegis of Imo State Lawyers Forum have endorsed the recent appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo state, arguing that merit, rather than sentiments over seniority concerns, informed the choice of the learned jurist as the new CJ.
Governor Hope Uzodinma, acting on the recommendations of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Commission (NJC) had on the 2nd of April, 2025, appointed Hon. Justice Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge of Imo state, following the sack of Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka over alleged age falsification.
In a press statement issued to newsmen in Abuja, Sunday, the lawyers described Justice Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the most qualified Judge of the Imo State High Court at the time of his appointment, describing those opposed to his confirmation as the substantive Chief Judge of the state as “Barr Politicians” using seniority sentiment over merit as grouse.
In their words: “Justice Nzeukwu is an incorruptible Judge, and all lawyers and litigants in Imo State can attest to his integrity, uprightness, forthrightness and humility. His appointment indeed is divinely orchestrated.”
The press statement entitled, “Endorsement of the Appointment of Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State by His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma, CON, GSSRS and Unanimous Support for his Confirmation as the Substantive Chief Judge of Imo State,” was signed by John O. Eboh, Kelechi K. Ezeribe, Sylvester C. N. Wobi, R.C. Uyaeme, Okafor Ezekwere, E.C Ukwuegbu, U.C Oswi, Nonso Duru, O.F. Nwangwu, and T. O. Akweri, representing the forum.
Continuing, the lawyers stated: “We are a bevy of Legal Practitioners and Association of Lawyers in Imo State, Nigeria, who are passionate about the recent developments in the Judiciary of Imo State. As leaders of different associations of lawyers and individual legal practitioners, we had initially been perturbed by the continuous vacuum that existed in respect of the office of the Chief Judge of Imo State until the recent appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State.
“As a posse of legal practitioners that place great deal of premium on competence and capacity in judicial appointments, we are prodigiously elated that the executive Governor of Imo State in the exercise of his prerogative under section 271 (4) of the Constitution prioritized competence and legal dexterity-which Hon. Justice T. A. Nzeukwu epitomises.
