The National Judicial Council (NJC) has directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include the name of the state’s Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma Agugua, among the candidates to be considered for appointment as substantive Chief Judge.
The council rejected her exclusion from the list of nominees submitted by the commission, insisting that the most senior judge of the Imo State High Court must be given consideration for the position.
The directive was issued during the NJC’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the chairmanship of the Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.
In a statement released on Wednesday, the NJC Deputy Director of Information, Kemi Babalola-Ogedengbe, confirmed the council’s position.
The statement read:
“Council also directed the Imo State Judicial Service Commission to include the name of the most senior Judge of the State High Court, the Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, in the list of candidates for appointment as substantive Chief Judge of the State.”
The Imo State Judicial Service Commission is constitutionally responsible for initiating the process of appointing judicial officers in the state.
Background To The Imo Chief Judge Controversy
The appointment of a substantive Chief Judge in Imo State has remained contentious between the NJC and state authorities since the compulsory retirement of former Chief Judge, Justice T. E. Chukwuemeka Chikeka, in November 2024 over allegations of age falsification.
Despite Justice Agugua being the most senior judge of the state High Court, the state authorities initially bypassed her and appointed a lower-ranking judge to serve in an acting capacity.
The decision was subsequently challenged by the NJC, which rejected the appointment of Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu as acting Chief Judge in April 2025.
In June 2025, approximately two months after rejecting his appointment and issuing him a query, the NJC ordered Nzeukwu’s compulsory retirement over his acceptance of the acting Chief Judge position.
Following the development, the Imo State Government, led by Governor Hope Uzodimma, returned Justice Agugua to the position, although she was retained in an acting capacity.
The latest directive from the NJC reinforces its position that Agugua, as the most senior judge of the state High Court, should be included in the process for selecting a substantive Chief Judge.
NJC Suspends Three Judges Over Misconduct
Meanwhile, the NJC has suspended three judicial officers for one year without pay over various allegations of misconduct.
The council also issued warnings to several other judicial officers following complaints involving violations of judicial procedures and abuse of authority.
The affected officers were accused of offences including unlawful detention of litigants, abuse of judicial powers, failure to observe due process and improper handling of court cases.
The three suspended judicial officers are Justice Hannatu Mohammed Kabir of the Nasarawa State High Court, Grand Kadi Mohammed Sani Salihu of the Jigawa State Sharia Court of Appeal and Justice Sobere Biambo of the Rivers State High Court.
The disciplinary decisions were also reached at the NJC’s 112th meeting held on November 3, 2026, under the leadership of Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun.