Imo State Assembly Calls for Removal of chief Judge Chukwuemeka-Chikeka Over Alleged Age Falsification

On Thursday, the Imo House of Assembly recommended the dismissal of the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, for misconduct and alleged age falsification pursuant to Section 292 of the Constitution.

During a plenary session, a two-thirds majority of the lawmakers voted in favor of the recommendations from the house adhoc committee, which investigated a petition from the Civil Society Engagement Platform (CSEP) alleging age falsification by the chief judge.

The House urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to remove Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka from office under Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended) and recommended that the resolution be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further action.

Earlier, the House had established a four-member adhoc committee to investigate the petition brought by CSEP, 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 petition was referred to the adhoc committee, which included Hon Ikenna Ihezue (chairman), Hon Bernard Ozoemenam (member), Rt Hon Clinton Amadi (member), and Hon Ebonine Beneath (member), with Mrs. Anne Martins Ezirim as clerk of the committee.

The committee invited relevant individuals and institutions for oral and documentary submissions, which informed its recommendations considered by the whole House.

Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka declined to attend the committee’s invitation, citing the 1999 Constitution, and stated she would only appear before an NJC panel.

The investigating committee received submissions from the Head of Service, Imo State; the Secretary, Imo State Judicial Service Commission; the Secretary to the Council of Legal Education; and the Director of Administration, Nigerian Law School, to verify the chief judge’s birthdate from her records.

The Nigerian Law School and Imo State Head of Service provided written responses, revealing that Chukwuemeka-Chikeka had altered her birthdate from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958, via a statutory declaration in 2006, submitted to the Judicial Service Commission.

Based on these findings, the committee concluded that Chukwuemeka-Chikeka had committed misconduct and recommended her removal by the Governor of Imo State. They also suggested that the House resolution be sent to the NJC for further action.

These recommendations were unanimously adopted by all 19 members present and voting in the House.