The Imo State Judicial Service Commission has published the names of two judges shortlisted for consideration for appointment as Chief Judge of the High Court of Imo State, a move that has triggered strong criticism from former Chairman of the National Human Rights Commission, Prof. Chidi Anselm Odinkalu.
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In a public notice dated June 5, 2026, the Commission said the publication was made pursuant to Paragraph 5.4 of the National Judicial Council Revised Guidelines for Appointment of Chief Judge, Grand Kadi and President of Customary Court of Appeal, 2023.
The notice, signed by the Secretary of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission, Jennifer Obianuju Nwosu, Esq., listed Hon. Justice C.A. Ononeze-Madu and Hon. Justice Eugene Agada as judges shortlisted and eligible for consideration for appointment as Chief Judge of the High Court of Imo State.
According to the notice, Justice Ononeze-Madu was appointed to the High Court Bench on August 2, 2004, while Justice Agada was appointed on May 9, 2008.
The Commission stated that the names were listed strictly in order of seniority based on date of appointment to the High Court Bench, as contained in judicial service records.
It also invited members of the public, the Nigerian Bar Association, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to submit memoranda or comments on the suitability, integrity, reputation and character of the shortlisted judges for appointment as Chief Judge.
The notice directed that all memoranda must be in writing and addressed to the Secretary of the Imo State Judicial Service Commission, Judicial Headquarters, Owerri, Imo State. It added that submissions must be made on or before June 20, 2026, being 14 days from the date of publication.
The Commission further stated that memoranda must contain verifiable facts and documents, as well as the full name, address and phone number of the petitioner, warning that anonymous or frivolous petitions would not be entertained.
However, reacting to the development, Prof. Odinkalu alleged that the process was “brewing a scandal” and claimed that it was being carried out at the instigation of Governor Hope Uzodimma.
Odinkalu, in a post on X, alleged that a senior judge from the state serving in Abuja and some Senior Advocates of Nigeria from Imo State were also part of the alleged controversy.
He questioned how the Commission arrived at the two-name shortlist, saying it did not disclose when the process began or how it was conducted.
According to him, although the Commission claimed that the shortlist was done in order of seniority, the “mystery” was the exclusion of the Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Justice Ijeoma Agugua.
Odinkalu said Justice Agugua was appointed a judge in 1993 and was senior to those listed by several years. He further claimed that she had been passed over for the position of Chief Judge at least three times.
He alleged that there was a campaign to tarnish her image, insisting that her official record before the National Judicial Council was clean.
“A judge whose official record is without blemish should not suffer this kind of concerted effort to tarnish her,” Odinkalu said.
He further alleged that politicians were uncomfortable with Justice Agugua because they considered her too independent and not easily controlled.
According to him, the development would test the willingness of the Chief Justice of Nigeria and the National Judicial Council to defend judicial seniority and protect the integrity of a judge whose record, he said, remained clean.
The Imo State Government and the Judicial Service Commission had not, as of the time of this report, publicly responded to Odinkalu’s allegations.
The controversy comes as the Commission’s notice opens the door for public comments and petitions on the shortlisted judges ahead of further consideration for the appointment of a substantive Chief Judge of the state.
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