Former Chairman of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Owerri Branch, Lawrence Nwakaeti, has fiercely criticized the Imo State Government for undermining the judiciary and disregarding constitutional governance.
Speaking on Sunday, Nwakaeti condemned Governor Hope Uzodimma for failing to appoint a substantive Chief Judge seven months after the removal of Justice Chukwuemeka Chikeka, who was dismissed over an age falsification scandal.
Describing the ongoing vacancy as a political maneuver, Nwakaeti expressed alarm over the fact that Imo State also lacks an Attorney General, leaving two vital positions in the Justice sector unoccupied.
These are constitutional roles central to the proper functioning of the judicial system. Yet, the government chooses to sideline them,” he said. “Once you’ve practiced for 10 years, you’re qualified for these roles. But those in power prefer to cut corners to serve their interests.”
Nwakaeti accused the governor of politicizing the judiciary and ignoring both the concerns of the Bar and directives from the National Judicial Council (NJC). He explained that after rejecting the state’s flawed nomination for Chief Judge, the NJC directed the appointment of the most senior judge within seven days. Over five weeks have passed since that order, and Imo still has no Chief Judge.
“This is not just negligent; it is unconstitutional,” he stated. “The office of the Chief Judge is not a favour granted by the executive — it is a constitutional mandate.”
He emphasized that just as the executive is headed by a governor and the legislature by a speaker, the judiciary must be led by a duly appointed Chief Judge as prescribed by the Constitution.
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