Abia House invites AG over swearing-in of Acting CJ

THE Abia State House of Assembly has invited the State Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, to
appear before it to explain why he misled Governor Okezie Ikpeazu
into swearing-in the wrong person as Acting Chief Judge following
the suspension of Justice Theresa Uzokwe by the House.

Recall that the National Judicial Council, NJC, reversed the
action of the Governor, saying that Justice Obisike Orji who was
sworn-in as the Acting Chief Judge was not the proper person to
act. The council went further to suspend Justice Obisike Orji for
accepting to be sworn-in, knowing that he was not the most senior
Judge in the hierarchy, a rule, respected and guided jealously in
the judiciary.

Worried by the embarrassment the action has caused the State and
the Governor, the House decided to invite the attorney general who
is the chief law officer, to come and explain why he did not advise
the Governor properly.

Meanwhile, the House has recommended the sack of the suspended
Chief Judge of the State, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, saying that she
failed to appear before the House Committee that sat over the
petition written against her.

However, in compliance with NJC’s directive, Governor Okezie
Ikpeazu, Monday, swore-in Justice Onuoha Kalu Ogwe as Acting Chief
Judge of the state.

Swearing-in Justice Ogwe, Governor Ikpeazu explained that there
was no under current in the decision of the Government except to
stabilise the judiciary which should not be left without a head

THE Abia State House of Assembly has invited the State Attorney
General and Commissioner for Justice, Chief Umeh Kalu, SAN, to
appear before it to explain why he misled Governor Okezie Ikpeazu
into swearing-in the wrong person as Acting Chief Judge following
the suspension of Justice Theresa Uzokwe by the House.

Recall that the National Judicial Council, NJC, reversed the
action of the Governor, saying that Justice Obisike Orji who was
sworn-in as the Acting Chief Judge was not the proper person to
act. The council went further to suspend Justice Obisike Orji for
accepting to be sworn-in, knowing that he was not the most senior
Judge in the hierarchy, a rule, respected and guided jealously in
the judiciary.

Worried by the embarrassment the action has caused the State and
the Governor, the House decided to invite the attorney general who
is the chief law officer, to come and explain why he did not advise
the Governor properly.

Meanwhile, the House has recommended the sack of the suspended
Chief Judge of the State, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, saying that she
failed to appear before the House Committee that sat over the
petition written against her.

However, in compliance with NJC’s directive, Governor Okezie
Ikpeazu, Monday, swore-in Justice Onuoha Kalu Ogwe as Acting Chief
Judge of the state.

Swearing-in Justice Ogwe, Governor Ikpeazu explained that there
was no under current in the decision of the Government except to
stabilise the judiciary which should not be left without a head