A Federal High Court in Abuja has dismissed a legal challenge against Imo State Governor Hope Uzodinma over an alleged refusal to appoint the state’s most senior judge as acting Chief Judge.
Justice Mohammed Umar ruled on Tuesday that the court could not assume jurisdiction because the applicant, lawyer Victor Nwadike, provided no substantive claim against the National Judicial Council (NJC), which he listed as a co-defendant.
“The entire affidavit and reliefs do not disclose any claim against the third respondent. The NJC’s inclusion appears only to confer jurisdiction on this court,” the judge stated.
Nwadike, in case FHC/ABJ/CS/1303/2025, had asked the court to grant leave for an order of mandamus compelling Governor Uzodinma to appoint the most senior judge of the Imo State High Court as acting Chief Judge, in accordance with Section 271(4) of the Constitution.
He argued that the NJC had twice—on 30 April and 26 June—directed the governor to appoint the most senior judge, but the instruction was ignored.
Justice Umar said the NJC had already discharged its duty and that no live issue remained against it. Consequently, the court struck out the suit, citing established judicial precedent.
Earlier, on 16 July, the court had directed Nwadike to justify why his application should be entertained despite potential jurisdictional issues. In response, Nwadike asked that the case be transferred to a competent court in Imo State if jurisdiction was found lacking.
But the judge declined, ruling that the matter must be struck out entirely.
