The National Judicial Council (NJC) has asked Abia State Government to pay a former Chief Justice of the state, Justice Theresa Uzokwe, her retirement benefits.
Our correspondent reports that the NJC, under the chairmanship of Justice Walter Onnoghen, at its 85th meeting held on March 24, 2018 recommended that Justice Uzokwe should proceed on compulsory retirement, following the recommendation of the two panels that investigated allegations against her by the Attorney General of the state, Justice Umeh Kalu, alleging illegal constitution and working with a parallel Judicial Service Commission, instead of the one constituted by the governor and confirmed by the House of Assembly.
According to the NJC, Justice Uzokwe was also accused of misconduct in suit No. Hu/131/2005 where she delivered judgment in the sum of N825,000 in favour of a litigant, but reportedly signed a garnishee order of N109, 612, 500.
Although many saw the House of Assembly’s action as a violation of the constitution and an affront to the independence of the judiciary, the NJC in March 2018 recommended her compulsory retirement.
However, Justice Uzokwe, through her counsel, Nnamdi Ahaiwe, petitioned the NJC for a review and the setting aside of its earlier decision, citing an error that the NJC failed to comply with paragraph 16 (1) of the 2014 NJC Judicial Discipline Regulations, thereby denying Justice Uzokwe a fair hearing in the proceedings.
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The Nation, however, learnt that Uzokwe on March 29, 2018 wrote to the former Minister of Justice and Chief Justice of the Federation, Justice Ibrahim Mohammad, calling for the review of the decision of the NJC to recommend her compulsory retirement.
In a letter sighted by our correspondent, Uzokwe in a letter dated May 8, 2019, addressed to Justice Mohammad, said: “The decision of the NJC came as a shock.”
NJC, after the review, reportedly absolved Justice Uzokwe from any wrongdoing and resolved to pay her arrears of salaries and allowances from the date they recommended her for compulsory retirement to when she attained her statutory retirement age of 65.
In a letter signed by Justice Mohammad titled: ‘Request for Payment of His Lordship’s Retirement Benefits/Entitlements’, referring to letters with Ref. No. NJC/S.1/AB. HC/4/VIII/177, dated December 16, 2021 and Ref. No. NJC/S.1/AB.HC/4/VIII/198 dated April 7, 2022 Governor Okezie Ikpeazu was urged to pay Justice Uzokwe her retirement benefits and entitlements.
It was, however, gathered that Justice Uzokwe was yet to be paid the entitlements by the state government as directed by the NJC.