Imo Assembly Urges Governor Uzodinma To Sack Chief Judge Chikeka Over Age Falsification
The Imo State House of Assembly has called on Governor Hope Uzodinma to remove Chief Judge Justice Theresa Ebere Chukwuemeka Chikeka from office following her indictment by an ad hoc committee for allegedly falsifying her age.
In a decisive move, the Assembly members overwhelmingly supported the committee’s recommendation to dismiss Justice Chikeka for misconduct, in accordance with Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, as amended.
The House also resolved to forward its decision and the committee’s recommendations to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further necessary action.
The decision follows a thorough investigation by a four-member ad hoc committee set up in response to a petition titled “Petition Against The Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka For Age Falsification Which Is A Grave Criminal Offence And An Act For Which Many Other Judges And Justices Have Been Summarily Dismissed And Some Are Currently Being Prosecuted By The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission, ICPC.”
The committee’s report indicated that Justice Chikeka had altered her date of birth from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958, a discrepancy the committee deemed as misconduct and unbecoming of a public officeholder.
In its resolution, the House stated: “Following the recommendation of the Committee and in keeping with the provisions of Section 292 (a)(11) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which lists misconduct as one of the grounds on which a Governor, supported by a two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly, can remove the Chief Judge of a state, the Imo State House of Assembly has authorized the Governor to remove Hon. Justice Theresa Ebere Chukwuemeka-Chikeka from office as Chief Judge of Imo State.”
The committee, in conducting its investigation, invited relevant persons and institutions who provided oral and documentary evidence. Notably, Justice Chikeka did not attend the committee’s hearings.
To ensure a transparent investigation, the committee invited the petitioners, Civil Society Engagement Platform (CSEP), represented by its director of investigations, Ndubuisi Onyemaechi, as well as the Imo State Head of Service, the secretary of the Imo State Judicial Council, and the Director of Administration of the Nigerian Law School. These entities were asked to verify the date of birth Justice Chikeka submitted when she was admitted to the Nigerian Law School.
The written responses from these officials confirmed that Justice Chikeka had indeed adjusted her date of birth.
Based on these findings, the ad hoc committee concluded that Justice Chikeka’s actions amounted to gross misconduct, warranting her removal from office.
Falsification of age is considered a severe violation, leading to the dismissal of several judges and justices in Imo State and globally.
