Posted by From Christopher Isiguzo in Owerri on
Legal Practitioners in Owerri, Imo State, under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have threatened a showdown with the government over the appointment and swearing-in of Mrs. Ann Ononeze. Madu as a judge of the state High Court and have vowed to boycott any court, body or tribunal presided over by her.
Legal Practitioners in Owerri, Imo State, under the aegis of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) have threatened a showdown with the government over the appointment and swearing-in of Mrs. Ann Ononeze. Madu as a judge of the state High Court and have vowed to boycott any court, body or tribunal presided over by her.
They described the appointment of the said judge as illegal, insisting that there were subsisting court actions against the said appointment and swearing-in.
Briefing newsmen in Owerri weekend, chairman of the Owerri zonal branch of the NBA, Mr. Ken Njemanze noted that they had earlier on expressed the view in writing to the National Judicial Council (NJC) that Mrs. Madu was not a fit and proper person to be appointed as judge when they were invited to make impute on the sustainability of certain individuals for appointment as High Court judges in Imo State.
"NJC notwithstanding the said views of the NBA Owerri Branch proceeded to recommend the said Mrs. Madu to the Governor for appointment as a judge which subsequently prompted us to commence an action at the Federal High Court, Owerri challenging same.
"The Federal High Court on July 23, struck out the said suit on the ground inter alia that the NBA, Owerri Branch had no locus standi to institute the suit. We later filed an appeal against the said decision and filed "motion for an injunction pending appeal restraining the appointment and/or swearing in of the said Mrs. Madu which said motion was served on the Attorney General of Imo State".
Mr. Njemanze therefore described the action as clear "injustice, breakdown of rule of law and unconstitutional" a situation where despite the litigations pending against the appointment and/or swearing in of Madu, the governor proceeded to appoint and swear her in as judge of the High Court on August 3.