A group of law experts in Abuja has faulted the manner Governor Hope Uzodinma of Imo State appointed the fourth most senior judge in the state’s Judiciary as the Acting Chief Judge of the High Court of the state.

The lawyers, who are members of a group, the Lawyers for Civil Liberty, led by Victor Opatola, argued that Uzodinma’s action “is not only unconstitutional, but it undermines the entire structure of judicial order, seniority, and independence.”

Speaking in Abuja on Friday, the group expressed fears about the impact of the development on the entire fabric of the nation’s Judiciary and its time-tested culture of respect for seniority and hierarchical order.

The group commended the National Judicial Council (NJC) for distancing itself from Uzodinma’s decision, and urged the NJC to stand its ground and compel the Imo State Governor to retrace his steps.

The NJC had, in a statement on April 4, faulted Uzodinma’s decision and distanced itself from the process.

The NJC said, in the statement, that it was yet to consider a request by Uzodinma to appoint Justice Theophilus Nzeukwu, who is currently number four in the hierarchy of judges’ seniority in Imo State High Court.

The Lawyers for Civil Liberty said the development in Imo State is worrisome considering that “this is not the first time such issue of bypassing judicial seniority in selecting a Chief Judge” was happening.

“In 2021, Hon. Justice C.A. Ononeze-Madu, the second most senior judge, was sidestepped, while Justice Theresa Chikeka was appointed. And now, the fourth in the line of seniority is appointed again in violation of constitutional standards.

“This repeated pattern should deeply trouble every stakeholder in the Nigerian judiciary. It is not a mistake, and unless the National Judicial Commission takes a firm and immediate stand, this behaviour will harden into precedent.

“We are aware of various efforts at justifications premised on the ground that the three most senior judges are not appointable. We most humbly state that such decision is for the council (NJC).

“In this case, we believe that there are no excuses, no justification and no political convenience that should override Section 271 of the Constitution. (The Nation)