Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka 


From Chidinma Omar. Owerri 


The  Chief Judge of Imo State, Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka appears to be  in trouble as a House Committee of the Imo State House of Assembly on Wednesday asked Governor Hope Uzodimma to remove her for age falsification.


In a press release, House Committee On Judiciary And Information, Imo State House of Assembly stated that following the conclusion of investigation  on a petition recommended that  Gov Uzodimma should remove the Chief Judge of Imo Hon. Chukwuemeka-Chikeka from office for misconduct, having violated Section 292(ii) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended).


The release signed by the Committee Chairman, Hon   Ikenna Ihezuo stated that according to a petition received from Civil Society Engagement Platform,  (CSEP), a civil organisation, the Chief Judge adjusted her date of birth from October 27, 1956 to October 27, 1958.


The House Committee Chairman explained that  on Wednesday, July 3, 2024, the Imo State House Of Assembly received a petition from CSEP signed by its  Director of Investigation, Comrade Ndubuisi Onyemaechi alleging age falsification  allegations against the Chief Judge 


He stated "....Subsequently, the House, pursuant to Section 292 of the Constitution, set up a Four (4) Man Committee to look into the petition and report to the House.


"In the course of their investigations, the Committee invited the petitioners; The Head Of Service, Imo State;  The Secretary, Imo State Judiciary Commission and the Hon. Chief Judge of the State, Mrs Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka.


"The Committee also wrote to the Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration, Nigerian Law School, to find out the date of birth the Chief Judge filed on her form when she was admitted into the Law School.


"All those invited appeared before the Panel, including the petitioners, who adopted and owned the petition as their write-up.


"The Secretary to the Council and Director of Administration at the Nigerian Law School and the Head Of Service, Imo State sent their written responses to the inquiry from the Committee.


"However, the Chief Judge refused to honour the Committee's invitation". 


Dailyledger.com.ng reports that the Committee from findings from all parties interrogated subsequently arrived at the conclusion that the Chief Judge, Hon Justice  Chukwuemeka-Chikeka indeed adjusted her date of birth from October 27, 1956 to October 27, 1958, being an act of  misconduct by a public servant.


Contending that falsification of age is an act of misconduct, for which several Judges and Justices, among other office holders have been removed from in Imo State and other parts of the country, the  Committee ruled that the House Resolution on the issue be forwarded to the National Judicial Commission (NJC), for further action.


"Subsequently, following the recommendation of the Committee of the Committees, and in keeping with the Provisions of Section 292 (a)(ii) of the 1999 Constitution, which lists misconduct as one of the grounds on which a Governor, supported by Two-Third Majority of the House Of Assembly, can remove a Chief Judge of a State, the Imo State House Of Assembly has authorized the Governor of Imo State, Distinguished Senator Hope Uzodimma to remove Honourable Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka from office as the Chief Judge of Imo State", the release submitted