Hon. Justice Ijeoma Ogbeeyalu Aguguo has been sworn in as the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State.

Performing the swearing-in ceremony, Governor Hope Uzodimma emphasized the administration’s commitment to strengthening the judiciary and ensuring its independence.

He described the recent judicial crisis in the state as “both unfortunate and instructive,” noting that the government had taken “decisive and lawful steps to restore the dignity of our Judiciary and reinforce the sacred principles of justice and due process.”

The governor, who also swore in Barrister Paul Obinatu as Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General of the state, expressed confidence that the appointees would bring “professional excellence, loyalty to the constitution, and a deep sense of duty” to their respective offices. He reaffirmed that under his leadership, the judiciary would continue to receive all necessary support as the last hope of the common man.

On July 23, 2025, Governor Uzodimma had announced via a state-owned radio station the appointment of Justice Aguguo, the most senior judge of the Imo State High Court, as Acting Chief Judge. However, no formal swearing-in ceremony was held at the time, nor was any instrument of appointment issued.

TheNigeriaLawyer recalls that the National Judicial Council (NJC) had earlier rejected a flawed nomination process and directed the state to appoint the most senior judge as Chief Judge within seven days. Despite this directive, Imo State had operated for weeks without a constitutionally recognized Chief Judge or Attorney General, a situation that raised serious concerns about governance, justice delivery, and the administration of the legal system in the state.

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