Why Citizens Should Embrace Justice Nzeukwu As Imo CJ

Chairman of the Governing Council of Merit Times International, Dr Juliana Oyaide, has enjoined key stakeholders in the Imo State judiciary to accept the appointment of the acting chief judge of the state, Hon Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, as timely and divine.

Governor Hope Uzodinma, acting on the recommendations of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission, appointed Hon. Justice Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge of Imo State on April 2, 2025, following the sack of his predecessor, Hon. Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, over alleged age falsification.

The appointment, considered meritorious by many stakeholders, including the Imo State Lawyers Forum, has, however, attracted negative comments from some critics, who argue that Justice Nzeukwu was not the most senior judge of the state at the time of his appointment.

Speaking on the sidelines of a lecture, “Negotiating Leadership in Nigeria: The Leading Elements,” organised by Merit Times International in Maitama, Abuja over the weekend, Lady Oyaide advised the stakeholders to “embrace merit rather than dancing to the dictates of politics, which would not jell in the eye of professionalism, justice and the rule of law.

“Appointments, particularly to sensitive positions such as that of the Chief Judge of a state, should be based on merit, service and professional competence. Seniority is important, but not a criterion. What has the age of Methuselah got to do with the wisdom of Solomon?”

Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu, 62, is from the Umduru Egwedu Atta autonomous community in the Njaba local government area of Imo State.

After studying Law at the University of Lagos and earning his Bachelor of Laws Degree (LLB HONS) between 1981 and 1984, he attended the Nigerian Law School the same year and was called to the Bar in 1985.

His Lordship was appointed a High Court Judge of Imo State Judiciary on May 6th 2008. He has served on the Higher Bench for the past 17 years with a most unblemished record of integrity and incorruptibility.