Biography of Justice Chima Centus Nweze

Justice Chima Centus Nweze is a distinguished Nigerian jurist who serves as a Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria. Born on September 25, 1958, in Obollo, Udenu Local Government Area of Enugu State, he is a man of strong faith and practices Christianity within the Roman Catholic denomination.

Justice Nweze is happily married to Hon. Justice Ugonne Jacinta Nweze, a fellow esteemed member of the Enugu State Judiciary. Their union has been blessed with five children and a grandchild.

In pursuit of his academic aspirations, Justice Nweze attended St John Cross Seminary, Nsukka, where he demonstrated outstanding academic performance, earning a Distinction in the West African School Certificate Examination (WASCE) between 1972 and 1977.

Continuing his educational journey, he enrolled at the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, from 1979 to 1983. During his time at the university, he achieved remarkable recognition as he represented the Faculty of Law and all Nigerian Law Faculties at the prestigious Phillip Jessup International Law Moot Court Competition in Washington DC. Justice Nweze excelled as the Chief Oralist during the competition. In 1983, he graduated with a Bachelor of Laws (LL. B. (Hons)) degree.

Upon completing his undergraduate studies, he attended the Nigeria Law School between 1983 and 1984, obtaining the qualifying Certificate (BL). Following this, he completed his mandatory National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) in Bauchi from 1984 to 1985.

Determined to expand his legal knowledge, Justice Nweze returned to the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, where he earned a Master of Laws Certificate (LL. M) between 1993 and 1995. Subsequently, he pursued a Doctorate Degree (Ph.D.) from the same university, successfully achieving it from 1997 to 2001.

Justice Chima Centus Nweze’s remarkable career in law commenced with his practice at the private Bar from 1985 to 1995. In November 1995, he was elevated to the High Court Bench of Enugu State, where he served with distinction and held several pivotal positions. Throughout his time on the High Court Bench, he chaired the Second Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Enugu State (1996 – 1998) and the Robbery and Firearms Tribunal in Nsukka (1998 – 1999). He also served as a Member of the Ondo State Local Government Election Petition Tribunal in 1999 and chaired the Ogun State Governorship and Legislative Houses Election Petition Tribunal in the same year. Justice Nweze was also appointed as the Administrative Judge of the Nsukka Judicial Division, Enugu State, in 2001.

In recognition of his legal expertise and contributions to the legal profession, he received an appointment as a Justice of the Court of Appeal of Nigeria on February 15, 2008. He served diligently at the Court of Appeal until October 2014, when he achieved the pinnacle of his career as he was elevated to Nigeria’s apex court, the Supreme Court of Nigeria, on October 29, 2014. He has been serving as a Justice of the Supreme Court since then, presiding over significant legal matters that shape the nation’s jurisprudence.

Beyond his judicial duties, Justice Nweze has actively participated in numerous extra-judicial vocational activities. His dedication to legal scholarship and academia has been evident through his role as the Convenor/Co-coordinator of the LL. M (International Human Rights Programme) at the Faculty of Law, University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, from 2000 to 2008. He has also served as a Visiting Associate Professor of Law at the Faculty of Law, Ebonyi State University.

Throughout his illustrious career, Justice Chima Centus Nweze has earned admiration for his intellectual prowess, unwavering commitment to justice, and invaluable contributions to the legal community in Nigeria. His dedication to the rule of law and his remarkable jurisprudence make him a prominent figure in the country’s legal landscape.