The attention of the Imo State Judiciary has been drawn to the above publication circulating on various online platforms.
The report contains misleading, inaccurate, and sensational claims regarding a Court Order purportedly issued in Suit No: HMI/144/2025 by the Hon. Acting Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Ijeoma Agugua.
It is necessary to correct the false impressions created by the publication and to restate the actual position of the law as it relates to the matter.
1. Court Orders Are Not Issued Based on Sympathy or Public Opinion
The report attempted to portray the Court as acting under undue influence, sentiment, or external pressure. This is incorrect.
The Judiciary operates strictly on the basis of law, facts, and evidence presented before it. As reaffirmed in countless judicial authorities, including Ekariko v. Atsenuwa (2022) LPELR-58448 (CA), Courts do not act on emotions, assumptions, or speculation.
Every party is entitled to approach the court, and the Court has the responsibility to consider whatever application is properly brought before it.
2. No Evidence Before the Court Suggests Bias, Nepotism, or Misconduct
The publication insinuated that the Acting Chief Judge acted under the influence of an unnamed “powerful personality.”
This claim is baseless, unsubstantiated, and deliberately crafted to mislead the public.
The Judiciary therefore cautions against attempts to malign judicial officers or cast aspersions on the integrity of the Court based on conjecture and street gossip.
3. Matters Before a Court Should Not Be Tried on Social Media
It is regrettable that the issue has been turned into a subject of sensational social media debate.
As is standard practice, any aggrieved party who is dissatisfied with a court order has the legal right to seek redress through:
Appeal,
Motion for Stay, or
Other lawful processes,
instead of sponsoring publications aimed at blackmailing the courts.
4. Misrepresentation of Facts and Family Disputes
The publication dwelt extensively on personal allegations, family matters, traditional issues, and historical marital disputes that are irrelevant to the court process and not part of the record before the Court.
The Judiciary will not be drawn into family quarrels, nor will it base legal decisions on customs or stories that were never formally placed before the Court.
5. Protecting the Integrity of the Judiciary
The Court remains committed to:
Upholding the rule of law,
Ensuring justice is dispensed impartially, and
Protecting the rights of all parties, regardless of social standing.
The Judiciary therefore warns against campaigns of calumny targeted at judicial officers, as such attacks undermine public confidence in the justice system.
6. Call for Responsible Journalism
The publication by Daily News Alert was clearly one-sided and lacked balance, objectivity, and adherence to basic journalistic ethics.
Professional journalism requires:
Verification of facts
Presentation of all sides of a story
Avoidance of inflammatory language
Respect for ongoing judicial processes
The Imo State Judiciary urges media practitioners to act responsibly and avoid reports capable of inciting the public or obstructing the cause of justice.
Conclusion
The Imo State Judiciary reaffirms its commitment to fairness, neutrality, and justice.
Members of the public are therefore advised to disregard the misleading publication and await the lawful and proper resolution of the matter by the competent Court.
Signed,
Imo State Judiciary,