Graylaw Practice LP commends the recent appointment of Hon. Justice Theophilus Nnamdi Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, an appointment widely endorsed by leading voices in the Imo State legal community. The support from notary publics under the aegis of the Imo State Lawyers Forum underscores a strong consensus within the Bar that merit and judicial excellence must remain the cornerstone of judicial appointments.

Governor Hope Uzodinma’s appointment of Justice Nzeukwu on April 2, 2025, followed the recommendations of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council (NJC). The appointment came in the wake of the removal of former Chief Judge, Hon. Justice T.E.C. Chikeka, over allegations of age falsification.

In a joint press statement issued in Abuja, a coalition of legal professionals described Justice Nzeukwu as “the most qualified Judge of the Imo State High Court” at the time of his appointment. According to the statement, opposition to his confirmation as substantive Chief Judge is being driven by “Bar politicians” prioritizing seniority over merit.

“Justice Nzeukwu is an incorruptible Judge, and all lawyers and litigants in Imo State can attest to his integrity, uprightness, forthrightness and humility. His appointment indeed is divinely orchestrated,” the statement read.

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Titled “Endorsement of the Appointment of Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State by His Excellency Sen. Hope Uzodinma, CON, GSSRS and Unanimous Support for His Confirmation as the Substantive Chief Judge of Imo State,” the endorsement was signed by prominent members of the Forum including John O. Eboh, Kelechi K. Ezeribe, Sylvester C. N. Wobi, and others.

The Forum emphasized that their support is rooted in the qualities they believe Justice Nzeukwu brings to the judiciary—competence, impartiality, and a reputation for incorruptibility. They noted that prior to the appointment, there had been growing concern over the leadership vacuum in the state’s judiciary, which risked affecting the administration of justice.

“As a posse of legal practitioners that place great deal of premium on competence and capacity in judicial appointments, we are prodigiously elated that the executive Governor of Imo State, in the exercise of his prerogative under Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), prioritized competence and legal dexterity—which Hon. Justice T. N. Nzeukwu epitomizes.”

At Graylaw Practice LP, we uphold the principle that the judiciary must be led by men and women of unquestionable integrity and capacity. We believe that the endorsement by the Imo State Lawyers Forum is a commendable act of courage and commitment to judicial excellence. As the legal profession continues to navigate the intersection of law and governance, we align with voices calling for reforms anchored on merit, fairness, and the rule of law.

Justice Nzeukwu’s appointment is not just a legal decision—it is a declaration that the Imo State judiciary deserves the very best.