Abia Obeys NJC Directive as Justice Ogwe is Sworn In as acting CJ

The government of Abia state has obeyed the directive of the National Judicial Council (NJC) to swear in the most senior judge in the state by swearing in Justice Onuoha Arisa Kalu Ogwe as the state acting Chef Judge (CJ) to replace the suspended Chief Judge, Mrs Theresa Uzokwe.

It could be recalled that the NJC last week directed the state government to swear in the most senior judge as the acting Chief Judge as the former acting Chief Judge, Justice Obisike Orji was suspended and queried for accepting the appointment from the state government.

Governor Okezie Ikpeazu had last week inaugurated Justice Oji as replacement to the suspended Chief Judge, Justice Uzokwe following the resolution of the state house of assembly that recommended her suspension.

However the NJC faulted the action of the state government and directed that the proper procedure be followed by swearing in the next in rank to the suspended Chief Judge pending the conclusion of investigation surrounding her suspension.

Speaking while swearing in the acting CJ, Ikpeazu said that there was no under current in the decision of the government except to stabilize the judiciary which should not be left without a head.

Ikpeazu said that last week he received the resolution of the state House of a Assembly on the suspension of the state Chief Judge which did not go down well with the NJC which directed that according to them the right should be done.

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He said, “Last week I received a resolution of Abia State House of Assembly which led to the suspension of the former Chief Judge, within the same period the NJC sat and gave directive as to what they think is the proper thing, that’s why we are here today”.

The Abia state governor expressed confidence that the new acting Chief Judge, Justice Ogwe would ensure that the objective of stabilizing the judiciary arm of government was achieved.

Ikpeazu charged the new acting CJ to live up to the standard required of the person in his position and urged him to stabilize the judiciary for the good of the state and the common man to have hope on the system.

In his acceptance speech, Justice Ogwe appreciated the Governor for the appointment and promised to serve to the best of his ability to ensure that the judicial arm of government is stable.

Justice Ogwe said that as a judge of the state judiciary that what he has been asked to do is to provide leadership from his colleagues and assured that he will do all in his capacity to do just that mad more.

Meanwhile Abia State government has appealed to the NJC to temper Justice with mercy in the case of Justice Obisike Oji whose inauguration as acting Chief Judge was nullified by the council as unconstitutional.

Addressing journalists on the issue the state Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, urged the council to consider the circumstances surrounding his appointment saying he was a victim of circumstance.

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