Imo State House of Assembly has adopted the recommendations of its ad-hoc committee that Governor Hope Uzodimma should remove the chief judge, Justice Theresa Ebere Chukwuemeka Chikeka, for age falsification.
The lawmakers said it was in pursuant to section 292 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
They also adopted the committee’s recommendation that the report be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further action.
The Assembly had set up a four-man committee to investigate a letter 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 Being Prosecuted By The Independent Corrupt Practices Commission (ICPC)”.
The committee invited relevant persons and institutions to make oral and documentary submissions, which enabled it to make recommendations that the Committee of the Whole House considered.
Justice Chikeka refused to honour the committee’s invitation.
The committee invited the petitioners, Civil Society Engagement Platform (CSEP), which appeared through its director of investigations, Comrade Ndubuisi Onyemaechi, and owned the petition.
The ad-hoc committee contacted the state head of the service, secretary of the Imo State Judicial Council, and director of administration of the Nigerian Law School regarding the CJ’s date of birth.
The Law School and the head of service sent written responses to the c committee.
Their submissions showed that the CJ adjusted her date of birth from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958.
Based on the findings, the committee concluded that her action amounted to misconduct.