{From OUR JUDICIARY DESK, Abakaliki}
CHIEF MAGISTRATE HANNAH NWEZE
A recent incident involving Chief Magistrate Hannah Nweze, who allegedly exhibited rude behavior towards a female Court Registrar in Ebonyi State’s Ishielu Magistral District, has sparked significant public backlash. Critics have condemned her actions as unbecoming of someone representing the judiciary, with accusations labeling her as an oppressor to her staff and marginalized individuals.
Sources indicate that Chief Magistrate Nweze was involved in a compromising situation, where she allegedly confronted and physically assaulted Court Registrar Mrs. Nkechinyere Nwankwo, reportedly attempting to undress her. This incident prompted court authorities to establish a disciplinary panel to investigate.
An anonymous insider revealed that the issues surrounding the alleged misconduct have roots dating back to December, when the wife to the Governor of Ebonyi State, Chief (Mrs) Uzoamaka Mary-Maudline Nwifuru made a notable donation for the release of inmates, which was reportedly deposited into the Registrar’s account. It is claimed that Magistrate Nweze disputed this allocation, believing the funds should have gone to her directly instead of the Registrar.
The conflict reportedly also involved claims that Magistrate Nweze practiced a divide-and-conquer approach in court management as she sees nothing good in the Registrar handling the Court documents, which adversely affected her role. Furthermore, there were allegations of insubordination the Magistrate is accused of having instigated the court clerk against the Registrar, complicating the delineation of responsibilities between them.
Reports suggest that Magistrate Hannah Nweze took it upon herself to prevent the Registrar from fulfilling her duties in court, despite suggestions that she should have formally queried the Registrar, according to civil service rules instead of overstepping her authorities.
Additionally, on February 26, 2026, Magistrate Nweze allegedly confronted the Registrar, Mrs. Nkechinyere Nwankwo publicly at the Court premises in Abakaliki, forcibly demanding a case file, which was subsequently damaged. This raised serious questions regarding the Magistrate’s conduct, especially as she is in a position to penalize others for similar public misconduct.
The subsequent investigation by a five-member panel led by Ukwa B. C Esq concluded that Chief Magistrate Nweze and her colleagues must be reminded that Registrars are tasked with managing court files, which should be readily available to Magistrates and Judges.
Further inquiries by 247wisemen.com into the dispute revealed that there are attempts by Magistrate’s tribal bigots to discredit the panel’s findings, possibly targeting the Registrar unjustly.
When contacted through her GSM line for comments, Registrar Mrs. Nkechinyere Nwankwo expressed her frustration and anger at being contacted, directing inquiries instead to the third arm of the Government.
Attempts to contact Chief Magistrate Hannah Nweze in order to hear her version of events regarding allegations that she publicly confronted her Court Registrar at the court premises in Abakaliki were not successful by the time this report was filed. The inquiry included phone calls and a text message stating, ” Your _Lordship, I received a report from our correspondent in Ebonyi State about these allegations, and I would like to know your side of the story.”
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