{
  "id": 18559964,
  "title": "NJC can’t dictate Imo chief judge nominee — AG",
  "url": "https://urgent.news/2026/11/06/njc-cant-dictate-imo-chief-judge-nominee-ag",
  "topic": "world",
  "section": "World",
  "published": "2026-11-06T20:32:51.000Z",
  "source": {
    "name": "Punch Nigeria",
    "slug": "punch-nigeria",
    "url": "https://punchng.com/njc-cant-dictate-imo-chief-judge-nominee-ag/"
  },
  "original_language": "en",
  "account": "Imo State Attorney-General Paul Obinatu has challenged the National Judicial Council's (NJC) claim to dictate which candidate the state should nominate for the substantive Chief Judge position. Obinatu argued that the NJC lacks the authority to control the Imo State Judicial Service Commission's (JSC) selection process. He emphasized that the JSC has an independent constitutional responsibility to assess and submit candidates for the Chief Judge appointment, and the NJC cannot \"dictate, control or substitute its preferred candidate\" for the commission's choice. Obinatu cited relevant constitutional provisions, including Section 202 of the 1999 Constitution, which protects the JSC from external interference in its functions. He further referenced Sections 271(1) and provisions in the Third Schedule of the Constitution, outlining the respective roles of the JSC, NJC, and governor in the appointment process. Obinatu maintained that the NJC's recommendation powers should not be interpreted as authority to control the State Commission's independent selection process.",
  "summary": "The Imo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Paul Obinatu, has questioned the constitutional authority of the National Judicial Council to dictate the candidate the state should nominate for appointment as its substantive Chief Judge. Read More: https://punchng.com/njc-cant-dictate-imo-chief-judge-nominee-ag/",
  "key_points": [
    "Imo AG Paul Obinatu challenges NJC's authority over candidate nomination.",
    "NJC lacks power to dictate Imo State JSC's selection process.",
    "Obinatu cites constitutional provisions protecting JSC's independence."
  ],
  "editors_take": null,
  "illustration": null,
  "coverage": {
    "outlets": 1,
    "also_reported_by": []
  },
  "ai_generated": true,
  "disclaimer": "Summaries, key points and the editor’s take are written by software from other outlets’ reporting and may contain errors — always check the linked original."
}