Chris Ihentuge’s Speech at Special High Court Session in Honour of Late Justice Ogwuegbu

…As we celebrate Justice Ogwuegbu’s life, we must confront the troubling developments within the Judiciary, which threaten the very principles he upheld.

SPEECH DELIVERED BY THE CHAIRMAN, NIGERIAN BAR
ASSOCIATION, OWERRI BRANCH, CHRIS IHENTUGE, ESQ, AT THE SPECIAL HIGH COURT SESSION IN HONOUR OF LATE HON JUSTICE EMMANUEL OBIOMA OGWUEGBU, JSC (RTD) CON, AT THE JUSTICE CHUKWUDIFU OPUTA HIGH COURT COMPLEX, NEW OWERRI, ON FRIDAY 16 MAY, 2025.

Protocols.
We are gathered here today to pay our final respects to an extraordinary jurist, the late Hon. Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu, JSC (Rtd) CON, a towering figure whose life and legacy embody the highest ideals of judicial integrity, courage, and independence.

As we perform this solemn ritual, it is imperative that we reflect on the
enduring principles he championed and their relevance to the challenges
confronting the Judiciary today.

Born on 16th March 1933, in Amainyi, Ihitte-Uboma Local Government Area of Imo State, Justice Ogwuegbu’s journey was one of remarkable dedication. He began his primary education at St. Theresa’s School, Amainyi, and completed it at St. Theresa’s School, Ikenanzizi, in 1949. His secondary education at St. Patrick’s College, Calabar, from 1948 to 1952, laid the foundation for a distinguished career. In January 1953, he joined the Okigwe Native Authority as a clerk. resigning in September 1956, to pursue further studies abroad.

He earned his LLB (Hons) from the University of Liverpool, England, in
1960. He was called to the English Bar at the Middle Temple in 1961, and enrolled at the Supreme Court of Nigeria in October 1962.

Justice Ogwuegbu’s career was a testament to versatility and commitment. From private legal practice to his appointment as a Magistrate Grade 1 in the former Eastern Region, and as a Senior Magistrate later seconded to
the Ministry of Justice, East Central State, he demonstrated unwavering
professionalism. In 1976, he was appointed a Judge of the Imo State High Court, serving as Administrative Judge in the Oweri and Aba Judicial Divisions.

Elevated to the Court of Appeal in 1987 and the Supreme Court of Nigeria in 1992, he also served as a Justice of the Supreme Court of The Gambia from 1999 to 2002. Upon reaching the mandatory retirement age in 2003, he retired meritoriously, leaving an indelible mark on Nigeria’s legal landscape.

His contributions extended beyond the bench, He served as Coroner for
Umuahia Judicial Division (1973-1976), Chairman of Etiti Divisional Council (1972-1975), Vice-Chairman of the NBA Umuahia Branch (1975-1976), and a member of various committees, including the Imo State Water Corporation Board and the High Court Rules Committee.

His lead judgment in Sunday Effiong v. State (1998)8 NWLR (Pt. 562) 362, remains a cornerstone of Nigerian jurisprudence, reflecting his intellectual rigor and commitment to justice.

Justice Ogwuegbu was a jurist of rare breed -humble, hardworking, and incorruptible. His life was a beacon of integrity in an era when such virtues are sorely needed. I recall a story of how he rejected a brand-new Range Rover offered to him as a bribe, a testament to his unyielding moral compass. He stood resolute against undue influence, embodying the principle that a judge must be fearless, impartial, and independent. His legacy challenges us to restore public confidence in a judiciary that has, in recent times, faced significant trials.

As we celebrate Justice Ogwuegbu’s life, we must confront the troubling
developments within the Judiciary, which threaten the very principles he upheld. The Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, feels compelled to address these issues, not out of confrontation, but out of a profound commitment to the rule of law and the sanctity of our judicial system. We do so with respect for all stakeholders, yet with the firmness that Justice Ogwuegbu’s legacy demands.

The National Judicial Council’s (NJC) at its 108th meeting on 29th and 30th April 2025, directed the Governor of Imo State to appoint the most senior judge in the High Court of Imo State as Acting Chief Judge in line with Section 271(4) of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended). This is in line with the position of NBA, Owerri Branch with regard to this.

We respectfully urge the Governor of Imo State Dist. Senator Hope Uzodinma to comply with the NJC’S directive and the Constitution. The
judiciary’s stability depends on adherence to established protocols, and bypassing seniority against the provisions of the Constitution undermines public trust.


Recently, the Chief Registrar of the Imo State High Court, His Worship, Naomi Achunulo, was purportedly removed from office, reportedly
following a Judicial Service Commission (JSC) meting on 1st May 2025 -a public holiday. This removal and abrupt redeployment of a substantive Chief Registrar without a query or fair hearing contravenes the principles of natural justice and due process and raises serious concern. The NBA Owerri Branch condemns this irregularity and calls for an immediate reversal of the decision, pending a transparent and lawful process. The judiciary must not be seen to act in a manner that erodes its own credibility.

We have received reports of magistrates being reposted without the directive of a sitting Chief Judge, who is constitutionally empowered to authorize such actions. This overreach undermines the administrative authority of the judiciary’s leadership and risks creating chaos within the system.

The NJC’s summons of 18 Imo State judges over allegations of age
falsification and misconduct is a grave matter of concern to us and it demands sober reflection and urgent attention. While we respect the NJC’s mandate to uphold judicial integrity, we urge a thorough, fair and
transparent investigation. The NBA Owerri Branch supports that the
judiciary must be cleansed of any malfeasance. However, this process must not be used to intimidate or undermine judicial officers as being witnessed in Imo State. The position of the NBA Owerri Branch on this issue has been submitted to the NJC.

The NBA Owerri Branch stands firmly for a judiciary that is incorruptible, fearless, courageous, and independent-qualities that defined Justice Ogwuegbu’s career. We condemn any action that erode judicial autonomy, undermine due process, or compromise public trust. The NBA Owerri Branch is ready to engage in constructive dialogue to restore the judiciary’s integrity and independence.

Hon. Justice Ogwuegbu’s life reminds us that the judiciary is the last hope of the common man. His incorruptibility, courage, and independence were not mere ideals but lived realities. He stood firm against interference, rejected inducements, and delivered judgments that advanced justice.

Today, the Imo State Judiciary faces a crossroads. Will it rise to the standard set by Justice Ogwuegbu, or will it succumb to the pressures of undue influence and procedural irregularities? We call on all judicial officers to emulate Hon. Justice Ogwuegbu’s example. Be fearless in upholding the law. Be courageous in resisting interference. Be independent in your judgments.

To the Imo State Government, we respectfully urge you to provide the
judiciary with the support it needs to function effectively, financially,
administratively, and structurally. A judiciary without a substantive Chief Justice or a Judge for over six months cannot fulfill its mandate. Let us work together to restore stability and confidence.

As we bid farewell to Hon. Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu, let us
honour his memory by recommitting to the principles he cherished. Let us
build a judiciary that is a true reflection of his legacy- one that commands respect, upholds justice, and serves the people of Imo State with integrity.

On behalf of the Executive and members of the Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch, I condole with the family of late Hon. Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu and all touched by his death. May you be strengthened by the worthy legacies he left behind.

May the soul of Hon. Justice Emmanuel Obioma Ogwuegbu rest in perfect peace.

Chief Chris Ihentuge, Ksm.
Chairman, Nigerian Bar Association, Owerri Branch