The Imo State House of Assembly on Thursday voted to sack the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, citing misconduct and alleged age falsification under Section 292 of the Constitution.
What They Are saying
During a heated plenary session, an overwhelming two-thirds majority of lawmakers backed the recommendations of an ad-hoc committee. This committee had been tasked with investigating a petition brought by the Civil Society Engagement Platform (CSEP), which accused the Chief Judge of falsifying her age.
The House urged Governor Hope Uzodimma to remove Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka from office for her alleged misconduct, emphasizing the gravity of the accusations under Section 292 of the 1999 Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
But that’s not all. The House also recommended that this resolution be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further action. Earlier, the House had established a four-member ad-hoc committee to delve into the petition, which was dramatically titled, “Petition Against The Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka For Age Falsification Which Is A Grave Criminal Offense 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, chaired by Hon Ikenna Ihezue and including members Hon Bernard Ozoemenam, Rt Hon Clinton Amadi, and Hon Ebonine Beneath, with Mrs. Anne Martins Ezirim as the clerk, conducted a thorough investigation. They invited relevant individuals and institutions, receiving both oral and documentary submissions.
Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, however, refused to honour the committee’s invitation, citing the 1999 Constitution and insisting she would only appear before an NJC panel.
Why It Matters
The petitioners, represented by CSEP’s director of investigations, Comrade Ndubuisi Onyemaechi, stood by their claims. The ad-hoc committee also reached out to 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 at the Nigerian Law School to verify the Chief Judge’s date of birth as recorded when she entered the Nigerian Law School in 1981 and began her civil service career in 1993.
Responses from these institutions confirmed that Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka had indeed altered her date of birth from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958, via a statutory declaration of age sworn in 2006. This alteration was discovered to have been submitted to the Judicial Service Commission.
Based on these findings, the ad-hoc committee concluded that Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka had engaged in misconduct and recommended her removal by the Governor. The House further resolved to forward this recommendation to the NJC for necessary action.
Bottom Line
The committee’s recommendations were unanimously adopted by all 19 members present and voting at the plenary session, setting the stage for what could be a dramatic shake-up in the Imo State judiciary.
