From Okey Sampson, Umuahia
A Federal High Court sitting in Umuahia, the Abia State capital, has restrained the government and her agents from engaging in a fresh process for the appointment of new Judges in the state.
The order followed an application brought by two litigants questioning the Abia government’s engaging in a fresh process in the appointment of 10 new Judges in the state.
Uzoamaka Uche Ikonne and Victoria Okey Nwokeukwu had for themselves and on behalf of the 2022 shortlisted candidates for the appointment as Judges of Abia State Judiciary, dragged the Abia State Judicial Service Commission, the Chief Judge of the state, the Attorney General and eight others before the court.
The plaintiffs sought an interim order of the court directing the plaintiffs and the defendants to maintain the status quo in the suit pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice for interlocutory injunction in the suit.
Plaintiffs equally prayed the court for any further order or other orders as the court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.
After reading the affidavit of urgency in support of the motion ex parte deposed to by the 1st plaintiff, Uzoamaka Uche Ikonne and after hearing O.O. Nkume, counsel for the plaintiffs move in terms of the motion paper, the court presided by Justice S. B. Onu ordered that all the parties to the action shall maintain status quo ante bellum pending the hearing and determination of the plaintiffs motion on notice.
The court also ordered that the plaintiffs shall enter into undertaking as to damages in the event that the order ought not to have been made.
Speaking after the court ruling, Amadi U.U, who described himself as a concerned citizen of Abia State, said until the process of appointment of Judges is insulated from executive interferences and influence, the administration of justice will be in jeopardy.
Abia State Judicial Service Commission, in 2022, shortlisted candidates for appointment as Judges in the Abia State Judiciary.
On October 17, 2022, the candidates attended an interview conducted by the National Judicial Council.
The candidates were equally screened by the Department of State Security (DSS) thereafter and were awaiting an official announcement as Judges before the government jettisoned the exercise and began a fresh process.