Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri branch, has insisted that due process be followed in the appointment of the acting chief judge of Imo State.
The association stressed that if for any reason, the most senior judge or judges were by-passed, the rationale for this deviation must be justified.
This was made known in a statement signed by the Imo State chairman, Chief Chris Ihentuge and the secretary, Daniel Odiba.
The governor of the state, Hope Uzodimma had recently appointed the fourth person in the hierarchy, Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as the acting Chief Judge of the state.
They said, “If there exists any impediment preventing the senior judges from assuming the role, such an impediment, if valid, should not only disqualify them from the position of Acting Chief Judge but also from sitting as judicial officers.
“As primary stakeholders in the legal profession, the Bar cannot, in good conscience, justify this appointment without clarity on the reasons behind the deviation from constitutional provisions.”
The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, demands that the governor should immediately take steps to address this situation and reverse this action which is inconsistent with the Constitution.
“Failure to do so will further erode public confidence in the judiciary at a time when trust in our institutions is already fragile. The Bar shall also take all stepsnecessary in the circumstance,” the Bar said.
The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, reiterated that it has no interest in any particular individual holding the office of the Chief Judge, was deeply committed to the protection of due process, the rule of law and the sanctity of the Constitution.
“This press release will be communicated to the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, the Body of Senior Advocates of Nigeria (BOSAN), Imo State Chapter, the Judicial Service Commission (JSC) of Imo State, the President of the Nigerian Bar Association and the National Judicial Council (NJC) without delay.”
