A Federal High Court in Umuahia, Abia State, has restrained the Abia State Government from appointing new judges in the state. The ruling followed a suit filed by two female lawyers who sought to be appointed as judges in the state.
The dispute arose after the Abia State Judicial Service Commission shortlisted candidates for judicial appointments in 2022. These candidates underwent interviews conducted by the National Judicial Council on October 17, 2022, and were screened by the State Security Service. They were awaiting the official announcement of their appointments when some individuals filed a suit, halting the process.
At the time, Okezie Ikpeazu was the governor of the state, but he exited office on May 29, 2023. Alex Otti, the newly elected governor, assumed office the same day and decided to abandon the 2022 recruitment exercise in favor of starting a new appointment process. This decision angered those who had been shortlisted in 2022, including two of the lawyers, Uzoamaka Ikonne and Victoria Nwokeukwu, who filed the lawsuit.
The plaintiffs challenged the state government’s new process for appointing 10 judges and sought an interim order from the court to maintain the status quo until the case could be fully heard. They also requested further orders as deemed fit by the court.
After reviewing the affidavit and submissions from the plaintiffs’ counsel, Obinna Nkume, Justice S. B. Onu delivered the judgment. The court ordered all parties to maintain the status quo pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs’ motion. The court further required the plaintiffs to enter into an undertaking regarding damages if the order was found to be improper.