Imo State Judiciary Under Siege As Gov. Hope Uzodimma’s Appointment Process Excludes Most Senior and Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma O. Agugua

Secretsreporter | 14-06-2026 09:14am |

The judiciary in Imo State is facing significant scrutiny following the decision by the State Judicial Service Commission to submit a shortlist for the position of Chief Judge that excludes the Acting Chief Judge, Justice Ijeoma O. Agugua. This decision has raised concerns regarding the adherence to constitutional provisions that protect judicial independence and the processes surrounding judicial appointments. The shortlist includes Justice Ononeze-Madu and Justice Eugene Agada, but the commission has not disclosed the criteria used for their selection or the timeline of the nomination process. Justice Agugua, who has served as Acting Chief Judge and is the most senior judge in the state, has been overlooked multiple times for the substantive position, prompting questions about the motivations behind the current nomination process and the influence of political interests within the judiciary.

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