NJC sacks Abia CJ, replacement

The Chief Judge (CJ) of Abia State, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, who was recently suspended by the state House of Assembly, has been sacked by the National Judicial Council (NJC).

Also shown the exit doors along with Uzokwe, is Justice Obisike Oji, who temporarily acted as the state CJ, soon after Uzokwe was suspended.

The NJC made this known in a statement on Thursday, saying that the two justices have been asked to proceed on compulsory retirement.

The statement by the NJC’s Director, Information, Mr. Soji Oye, further noted that the body had set up committees to probe an unnamed Justice of the Supreme Court and Chief Judges of two states.

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The statement did not however, disclose the allegations for the decisions to probe the Justice of the apex court and the two Chief Judges.

Oye revealed that the decision by the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Walter Onnoghen, was arrived at during NJC’s 85th meeting which held on Wednesday March14.

Recall that Abia State House of Assembly had on January 26, 2018 suspended Justice Uzokwe as the state’s Chief Judge.

The lawmakers had then directed Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to appoint an acting Chief Judge until probe by the Assembly committee into alleged acts of Justice Uzokwe’s misconduct is concluded.

Justice Orji was subsequently appointed as the acting CJ of the state.

However, on January 31, the NJC frowned at the suspension of Justice Uzokwe, describing it as unconstitutional because the action was taken without any recommendation by the council.

In its final decision to ask Justice Uzokwe to step aside, the NJC also suspended Justice Oji because he submitted himself for unconstitutional swearing in as the Acting CJ.

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