By Amby Uneze
It was indeed an emotion ladened moment to hear from the 'horses mouth' how God always work to deliver His children from danger spots. The story had been told sometimes in the past, probably in a private chat, but to buttress it in a public function naturally sent goose-pimples to a well attended audience as they listened to the shocking story of a celebrated woman of substance.
That June 29, 2024 was entirely reserved to honour a mother of inestimable value, a rare gem, a pride of womenfolk, a judicial icon and a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria (JSC), Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme, Ph.D on her elevation to the Supreme Court Bench.
The colourful event which also turned out to be a gathering of who is who in both the legal profession from across the nation, top political class, mainly from the South East region and an array of the society as they gathered at the prestigious Landmark Events Centre, Owerri to celebrate this great lady.
Leading the avalanche of VIPs were the five musketeers of highly respected legal luminaries, who were the organizers of the event. They included retired Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi, OFR, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu, OON, SAN, Chief Ndukwe Nnawuchi, SAN, Chief J.T. Nnodum, OFR, and Hon. Justice K. A. Ojiakor.
Also in attendance were some justices of the Supreme Court such as the Chairman of the occasion retired Hon. Justice Amina Augie (JSC), Hon. Justice Stephen Adah (JSC), Hon. Justice M.L.Garba (JSC), and Hon. Justice John Inyang Okoro (JSC). Members of the Jurists, Bench and Bar were not left out. They included the Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Theresa Eberechukwu Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, Hon. Justice J.I. Nweze (represented Chief Judge of Anambra State), Hon. Justice B.A. Njemanze (CJ rtd) and wife, Hon. Justice I. M. Njaka, Hon. Justice E. N. Eke, Hon. Justice V.N. Agbata, Hon. Justice M.E. Nwagbaoso, Hon. Justice Mike Onyekachi, and Hon. Justice K.A. Lewanya. Others were Prof. Uba Nnabue, Prof. Nnamdi Obarieri, Chief Ken Njemanze (SAN), and many more.
The political class were also in attendance in their large numbers. Leading them were the Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, Governor of Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, and the Governor of Anambra State represented by his deputy, Barr. Ifeanyi Ossai. Also present were former Governors of Imo State, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, Rt. Hon. Emeka Ihedioha, current deputy governor of Imo State, Lady Chinyere Ekomaru and husband, Chief Chukwuma Ekomaru, SAN. Some national assembly members were there, including Senator Osita Izunaso, Senator Ezenwa Onyewuchi and others.
In a smooth but emotional voice, Justice Nwosu-Iheme recalled her very gory experience at the kidnapper's den. She was kidnapped on October 30, 2019 after being trailed from Ramat Park end of the Benin-Agbor road before her vehicle was intercepted around Christ Chosen Church of God International. Unfortunately, her police orderly was killed. As God would have it she regained her freedom two weeks after.
According to her, I remained prayerful throughout my ordeal until God answered my prayers. When my abductors noticed that I am a serving judge, they kept telling me 'madam judge you will go but we need that money.' She further told her audience who were glued to their seats as she reeled out her story, that she was just worried for one thing and that was about her only daughter who was not yet married by then and that she would love to witness her wedding. No wonder, she declared that "Ejim Chineke ugwo" (I am indebted to God).
Welcoming distinguished guests to the ceremony, Chairman of the organizing committee and retired Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi (a Life Bencher) said that the long-standing friends of the guest of honour (Hon. Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme) thought it appropriate to put together the event to give honour to whom honour is due.
He reminded the audience that Honourable Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme remained a great achiever who sat on the Magisterial Court, High Court, and Court of Appeal before finally sitting on the apex and final court - Supreme Court Bench.
In her citation, Dr. Livy Uzoukwu (SAN), started by describing the qualities and personality of Hon. Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme as humane, witty, compassionate, courageous, meticulous, extraordinary integrity, authentic, open-minded, gregarious, articulate, friendly and a rock of principle.
Uzoukwu said, "I have known my Lord since 1981, when we commenced our call to the Bar programme at the Nigerian Law School, Victoria Island, Lagos. Our other classmates were Hon. Justice Paschal Nnadi, OFR, emeritus Chief Judge of Imo State, and J.T.U. Nnodum, OFR, SAN. The friendship that started in 1981 still endures to this day. We were called to the Bar in 1982. In later years, the friendship circle extended to His Lordship, Hon. Justice K.A. Ojiako and Ndukwe Nnawuchi, SAN."
Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Justice Amina Augie JSC retired said that the honouree needs the prayers of all present because the job is very difficult. She added that at the Supreme Court the Judges do not favour anybody because of friendship or relationship, but on the face of justice. She also prayed and hoped that with the prayers of all present and others she would do the nation proud.
The governors in their separate remarks commended the hardwork of Hon. Justice Chioma Nwosu-Iheme which had got her to the level of being a Justice of the apex Court in Nigeria - Supreme Court. They wished her well in her endeavours and promised to pray for her success.
Husband of the honouree, High Chief Uzoma Nwosu-Iheme, the Lord Mayor of Nkwerre ancient community described her wife, Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme as one with impeccable character, a no-nonsense person with a mind of her own. Married for over three decades, the Lord Mayor said "she is a very humble, thorough, a true practicing Christian and a giver to the less privileged.
He said, "one of the qualities which I admire in her is that she respects everyone but fears no one. She is a very candid person. Due to her no nonsense approach, most people think she is arrogant and unapproachable but this is far from the truth. Come close to her and you will see a true lover of mankind."
Hon. Justice Chioma Egondu Nwosu-Iheme is proudly blessed with a loving and gentle husband, five successful children among whom are: two legal practitioners, an economist, an engineer and a medical doctor (Breast Oncologist), a daughter-in-law (nee Peter Odili) who is a judge of the FCT High Court, a son-in-law who is an engineer and three grand-children.
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