The 7th President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Owerri in Imo State, Hon. Justice Matthew Emeka Njoku, has been sworn-in by Governor Hope Uzodimma.
The swearing-in ceremony took place on Tuesday at the Sam Mbakwe Executive Chambers, witnessed by top government and judicial officials.
Governor Uzodimma said he was delighted to swear-in Hon Justice Njoku as substantive President of the Customary Court of Appeal in Imo State because it signals his administration’s commitment to make appointments in the Civil Service and Judicial Service Commission in ways that portray seniority.
The governor said the President of the Customary Court of Appeal was chosen as the most senior in the hierarchy of other equally qualified senior judicial officers and that his appointment marked the end of days when officers got appointed or promoted without recourse to seniority and experience.
“My administration will continue to maintain seniority in the Civil Service and Judicial Service Commission. Seniority and merit will be followed fully because it will encourage productivity and remove insubordination,” the governor said.
Earlier while presenting Hon Justice Njoku to the Governor for the searing-in, the Imo State Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. COC Akolisa said the choice of the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Imo State was not only supported by many of the senior judicial officers who recommended him highly, but were worried that neglect for seniority in the system was fast becoming a hindrance to productivity and respect.
Akolisa described his appointment as befitting and one with popular appeal.
In his acceptance speech, Hon Justice Njoku thanked Governor Uzodimma for believing in his choice for the position and eventually recommending him for the appointment to the National Judicial Commission (NJC).
He said that with his appointment “the jinx of headship in the Imo State Customary Court of Appeal had been broken.”
He said he sees himself as “a pencil in the hand of God,” and pledged to use his office to sincerely serve man and God in line with the tenets of law.
In attendance at the swearing-in were the Deputy Governor of Imo State, Prof. Placid Njoku, Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon Justice Ijeoma Agugua, the Speaker of the Imo State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Chiji Collins, his deputy, Rt. Hon. Amara Iwuanyanwu, the Secretary to Government of Imo State, Chief Cosmas Iwu, the Chief of Staff, Barr. Nnamdi Anyaehie, among other top government and judicial officers.