Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, Friday swore in Hon. Justice Priscilla Ngozi Emehelu, as acting Chief Judge of the state following the retirement of the former Chief Judge, Justice Innocent Umezulike.
The new acting Chief Judge, Justice Emehelu, was sworn-in after an oath of office administered by the state’s Solicitor-General, Victor Emeribe (Esq).
The governor said Emehelu’s swearing-in is consistent with Section 271 (4) of the 1999 constitution as amended.
“If the office of the Chief Judge of a state is vacant, or if the person holding the office is for any reason unable to perform the functions of the office… the governor of the state shall appoint the most senior judge of the high court to perform those functions”.
Governor Ugwuanyi further stated that he had received two letters recommending the former Chief Judge’s suspension and compulsory retirement from office.
“Accordingly, Hon. Justice Ngozi Priscilla Emehelu, the most senior judge of the High Court of Enugu State, has been appointed and sworn-in as the acting Chief Judge of Enugu State,” Governor Ugwuanyi noted at the event held at the state’s Executive Council Hall.
The acting Chief Judge in her response attributed her appointment to providence and pledged to carry out the responsibilities of her new office to the best of her abilities and with the fear of God.
She was appointed High Court Judge in 1998 and had previously been Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice in Enugu State.
The swearing in ceremony was attended by the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, the Deputy Governor of Enugu State, Hon. Mrs. Cecilia Ezeilo, the Speaker of Enugu State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Edward Ubosi, the President of the Customary Court of Appeal, Justice George Nnamani, the Clergy, traditional rulers and a host of others.
