Enugu State Gets New Chief Judge

The Enugu State House of Assembly has confirmed Ngozi Emehelu as the substantive chief judge of the state.

Emehelu has been in an acting capacity since she was appointed about two and a half months ago, following the suspension of the former chief judge, Innocent Umezulike,  by the National Judicial Council, NJC.

She was confirmed during the State Assembly plenary session on Friday.

Moving the motion, the Leader of the House, Ikechukwu Ezugwu, described Emehelu as a woman of integrity with an outstanding character.

Ezugwu noted that the judge had been in the legal profession for 35 years, adding that she had served in several election petitions tribunals due to her impeccable character.

“She is a woman of integrity with what we know. We have not had any complaint since she was appointed in acting capacity,” he said.

Onyinye Ugwu, deputy Leader of the House, seconded the motion for the confirmation.

Speaker of the state assembly, Edward Ubosi, then put the motion to a voice vote, after which Emehelu was cconfirmed as substantive chief judge.

She is expected to be sworn in by Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, following the confirmation.

Former Enugu State Chief Judge, Umezulike, had been found guilty of misconduct by the NJC; he was subsequently suspended and recommended for removal.

He is also one of the Judges currently being investigated by the Department of State Services, DSS, on allegations of corruption.