In a swift response to the resolution of the Abia State House of Assembly suspending the State Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, from office, Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has sworn in Justice Obisike Orji as the Acting Chief Judge of the state.

Ikpeazu performed the swearing in ceremony at the EXCO chambers of Government House, Umuahia, on Friday morning, few hours after the Assembly’s resolution.

Ikpeazu said the swearing was in obedience to the constitution of the nation, having received the resolution of the state House of Assembly suspending the former chief judge of the state from office.

He explained that Justice Orji was the next rank to the suspended Chief Judge.

He told the Acting Chief Judge that he has the task of restoring the confidence of the people in the judiciary, adding that he was optimistic that Abia State would be better for the change in the leadership of the judiciary in the days ahead.

The Acting Chief Judge, in his acceptance speech, promised to discharge his responsibilities creditably.

He noted that he has an enormous task ahead, including restoring the confidence of the people in the judiciary and the justice delivery system of the state, pledging to do his best to ensure that the state moved forward.

The Abia State House of Assembly had this morning passed a resolution to suspend Justice Theresa Uzokwe from office.

The House took the decision during an emergency session after considering a petition from a civil society organisation, Global Centre for Peace and Justice. The group, in a 16-page petition dated January 22, 2018 and addressed to the Speaker, accused the Abia Chief Judge of gross misconduct to wit: “Tyranny and obstruction of administration of justice in the state, denigration of the office of the chief judge, embezzlement; amongst others.”

The petition was read on the floor of the House.

The lawmakers in their resolutions read by the Speaker Rt. Hon. Chikwendu Kalu, also set up an eight-man man ad-hoc committee to investigate the said allegations, and report back within seven days. They mandated Governor Ikpeazu, to appoint an Acting Chief Judge, pending the completion of the investigation by the House Committee.

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