A report on social media purportedly posted by Mrs Chinyere Igwebe, the duly devoiced wife of Late Chief Donatus Ifeanyichukwu Amuchienwa, captioned; JUSTICE AT LAST: AS MRS. CHINYERE LILIAN AMUCHIENWA TRIUMPHS IN COURT, in Suit No: HMI/144/ 2025, has attracted heavy criticism to Imo State Acting Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua, from Imo people for granting what the people viewed as biased and controversial Court Order for exhumation of the body of Late Chief Donatus Ifeanyichukwu Amuchienwa.
Displeased with the out come, many Imo sons and daughters reacted against it, lambasting Mrs Igwebe and further questioned the credibility of the Acting Chief Judge for issuing such order that may ridicule the image of judiciary.
The Order was as a result of a matter Instituted by the former wife of the deceased, Mrs. Igwebe, against his legally married wife, Barr. Mrs. Henrietta Ogechi Amuchienwa
Many have questioned the motive and consideration of the Chief Judge to grant the order, knowing that the deceased rejected Mrs.Chinyere Igwebe during his lifetime and returned drinks to her family as is customary.
The deceased's family and community are also questioning the judge's impartiality, citing that Mrs. Igwebe had abandoned the deceased during his illness and had not contributed to his care or made any financial contribution during his burial.
Speaking on the issue, Ben Onyekwere said, "Can the Acting Chief Judge tell the general public that she's not aware of a similar matter in customary court in suite N0; CC/NW/70/2025 between Donatus Amuchienwa and 11 Others,and Geoffrey I.C Amuchienwa and two orders.
The customary court document read in parts;" COURT/ORDER; WHEREAS; This matter came up today for injuction, however the 3rd Defendant Counsel informed that he filed a motion challenging the jurisdiction of this court.
WHEREAS::this Court having heard the the defendant application counsel move his motion challenging the jurisdiction of this Court to hear this matter and having gone through the affidavit of the application as well as his counsel's written address,the Court made the following orders;
The Court cannot make any Order at this point because the powers of this court is even challenged,there for counsel for the 3rd defendant is now requested to serve all parties involved in the matter and allow them to read and file counter affidavit, the court will now determine if it has powers to determine this matter or not.ISSUED AT CUSTOMERY COURT NWORIEUBI UNDER THE SEAL OF THE COURT AND HAND OF THE CHAIRMAN
Available reports showed that those that Instituted the suit demanding that Late Chief Ifeanyichukwu Amuchienwa should not be buried on the 17th October gave no tangible or obvious reasons, they also never stated that he was stabbed, during hearing on the matter, Mrs Chinyere Igwebe was present with them at the court promises for solidarity support,just to disallow the burial of late Chief Donatus Ifeanyichukwu Amuchienwa.
The matter is still pending before the customary court and has not been disposed of, however observers were of the view that they ran away because they saw signs of Justice and fairness.
Mr Ben further accused the judge of supporting forum shopping, alleging that there are signs that she may have ignored important evidence and information that may prove the matter has no merit and Mrs Chinyere Igwebe lacks locus on the matter.
His words; "if I may asked, is she related or connected to the Acting Chief Judge or is anybody close to her related to Imo Acting Chief Judge" ?
Many media and legal practitioners have expressed concern over the order, saying; it undermines the integrity of the judiciary. They called on the Acting Chief Judge to always endeavour to discharge her duties without fear or favour, uphold the principles of justice and fairness.
Recall that Imo State Acting Chief Judge, considered what the general public described as a mischievous prayers in Suit No: HMI/144/ 2025
for the exhumation of his body by his duly divorced wife, when the same Chinyere and her children never took care of the man all the years he was sick of kidney failure and stroke.
From reports the matter was instituted by Barr Chidi Valentine Chilaka for Mrs. Chinyere Lilian Amuchienwa, Mr. Nnanna Charles Amuchienwa and Mr. Otitodilichukwu Amuchienwa as plaintiffs, against Barr. Mrs. Henrietta Ogechi Amuchienwa and Mr. Godfrey Chukwuemeka Amuchienwa as defendants, unfortunately; Imo State Acting Chief Judge granted an Order for the exhumation of the deceased's body without any initial case of homicide or reference to the matter in customary court.
Credible village sources told journalists that the family house in the village, Mrs Chinyere is demanding unrestricted access to it was 90 percent effort of the his legally married wife,Barr Mrs Ogechi Henrietta Amuchienwa.
Recall that shortly; after Mrs Igwebe posted about her court victory with celebration that appears like mockery of her former husband and his wife, Barr. Mrs Ogechi Henrietta Amuchienwa, on the social media concerned Imolites voiced out and totally condemned it, stating that there are glaring signs of bias and nepotism.
that placed a big question mark on the image of acting Chief Judge with many pointing out that if properly cross checked, there are signs of what puts a question mark on the integrity and credibility of a judge, probably because of the way she handled it.
Still expressing his views, Mr Ben said
" I see signs of favouritism displayed for plaintiffs, how can the Acting Chief judge behaved as if she is uninformed about laws,how can she give order in favour of a duly divorced wife according to customs and traditions against a legally married wife that had her wedding in the temple of Justice"?
A unionist Comrade Peter Eze, asked; how can Imo State Chief Judge give Order in favour of a woman her former husband returned drink on her head with clear statement in a documented video that he has rejected her as wife due to her questionable character?
Echoing similar views of others, Hon. Ken Obi, said;what locus does Chinyere has to demand unrestricted access to the house of the same man who rejected her and restricted her access to his house when he was alive?
High Chief Tony Iwuagwu, has this to say, "It will not be out of place if I say there is bias or partiality with disdain to vital evidences and information, it appears there is incorrect interpreting of laws and precedents, just look at hand writing on the wall and read it for yourself, I hope you are seeing what I am seeing?
Others who spoke, gave insights into what signals questionable integrity and puntures credibility of a judge, noting that biased decisions, consistently ruling in favour of certain individuals or groups with suspicions of favoritism are some of the signs.
Many legal and media practitioners, noted that the signs are seen in judgments and court order that favour close relatives influential individuals, how judges silently consider close ties with politicians, business leaders, or other influential individuals who delight in influencing decisions.
Educating the general public on what signals lack of integrity and credibility in the life of a judge, his judgement or orders, media observers and legal practitioners are of the view that the signs of such corrupt practices are seen in receiving gifts, bribes, or other forms of compensation in exchange for favorable rulings to friends and associates when they don't deserve it, total disregard for judicial precedents or legal principles.
Adding his voice, Chief Chris Obi, from Ideato North, said; "Chinyere is my sister from Ideato Nation, is always in the news for the bad reason, last time it was between her and former Governor Ohakim on alleged sins of adultery, now; is a questionable court order, why is she making case for the corpse of a man who sent her packing while alive for reported cases on allegations of infidelity.
Is questionable how she wants to cry more than the bereaved, how she wants to paint others black and paint herself white as an advocate of peace and justice for a man she never gave peace of mind when he was alive.
From a general perspective, majority of Imo sons and daughters admonished the Judge not to do things that question the integrity and credibility of the judiciary, in her capacity as acting Chief Judge, they also admonished her to prove her mettle by discharging her duty without fear, favour, nepotism, bribery or corruption, others who don't want their name mentioned expressed believe that positive adjustment for postive advancement can enable her enthrone integrity and credibility in the temple of Justice and finally make a positive mark.