Speculations in section of the media that Justice Ijeoma Agugua’s recommendation as Chief Judge of Imo State by the state government was rejected by the National Judiciary Council (NJC), has been debunked by Barr Emperor Iwuala, an Owerri based private legal practitioner.
Barr Iwuala, in a release he signed and made available to Nigeria Watchdog Newspaper, stated that the National Judicial Council, a body that statutorily recommends the appointment of Judges in the country, meets quarterly and the rejection or disqualification of Justice Agugua did not in any way feature in the report of their meeting of the first quarter of the year and the meeting of the second quarter is yet to hold and hopefully, Justice Agugua will, thereafter, be recommended to the Imo State Legislature for confirmation, because, “she has performed creditably”.
The legal luminary noted that, at the expiration of the Judges earlier appointment as Acting Chief Judge of Imo State by Governor Hope Uzodinma, her tenure as Acting Chief Judge was extended by government in accordance with the law.
He opined that the falsehood being peddled against the renowned jurist is the handiwork of detractors, fifth columnists and disgruntled elements, who are scared that the Judge will sanitize and reposition Imo state judiciary for fast, efficient and equitable dispensation of justice and are bent on frustrating it.
He also posited that, “Justice Agugua is still the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State and Chairman, Imo State Judicial Service Commission. She is an Amazon, hardworking, incorruptible and will definitely use her administrative acumen and wealth of experience to fight corruption and elevate Imo state judiciary to an enviable height”. He urged the public to disregard and discountenance all forms of falsehood being spread by enemies of progress and advised the press to always verify their stories before publication.
