Justice Theresa Uzokwe, has been sworn-in as the Acting Chief Judge of Abia State.
Uzokwe who will preside over the affairs of the state judiciary for the next three months succeeded the former Chief Judge, Justice Nnenna Oti who retired from service.
In his speech at the ceremony at Government House, Umuahia, Governor Theodore Orji ,said that nature abhors vacuum, adding that the 1999 Constitution stipulates that in the event of vacancy, the most senior judge should act as Chief Judge for a period of three months while the Governor, the state House of Assembly, the Judicial Service Commission and the National Judicial Council (NJC) is vested with the power of appointing an acting or substantive Chief Judge.
The governor regretted that the relationship between the executive and the judiciary during the tenure of the last Chief Judge was not cordial and advised the new Uzokwe not to tow that line but rather to show example.
While thanking Gov. Orji for finding her fit to occupy the office, the new Acting Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Uzokwe who is a former Acting Chief Judge, further commended the governor for having a good working relationship with the judiciary and promised to discharge her duties effectively.
