The Imo State House of Assembly has called for the removal of the state’s Chief Judge, Theresa Chikeka, following serious allegations of age falsification.
This development stems from an in-depth investigation by a four-man ad-hoc committee, which revealed discrepancies in Chikeka’s declared age.
The investigation was initiated after the House received a petition from the Civil Society Engagement Platform (CSEP) on July 3, 2024.
Signed by Ndubuisi Onyemaechi, CSEP’s Director of Investigation, the petition accused Chief Judge Chikeka of altering her birth date from October 27, 1956, to October 27, 1958.
This act was described as gross misconduct by the committee.
Presenting the investigation report to the committee of the whole House, Ikenna Ihezuo, the Chairman of the Committee and House Committee Chairman on Information and Judiciary, detailed the findings.
“The House, pursuant to section 292 of the constitution, set up a four-man committee to quickly look into it and report to the House.
In the course of the investigation, the committee invited the petitioners, the Head of Service, the Secretary of Imo State Judiciary Commission, and the accused, Mrs. Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Imo Chief Judge, for an interface,” Ihezuo stated.
Despite multiple invitations, Chief Judge Chikeka reportedly refused to appear before the committee.
However, the petitioners, along with other key figures, attended and provided crucial information.
The committee also reached out to the Nigerian Law School to verify the date of birth that Chikeka had provided during her admission.
Based on the findings, the committee’s report unequivocally recommended that Governor Hope Uzodinma should remove Chikeka from her position.
The report emphasized that this action aligns with section 292 of the 1999 constitution (as amended), which addresses the misconduct of judicial officers.
The Assembly’s resolution was clear: “Consequently, the Committee recommended that the Governor of the state, Senator Hope Uzodinma, should remove the Chief Judge of the state, Honourable Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka, from office for misconduct in keeping with section 292 of the 1999 constitution (as amended).”
Additionally, the Assembly ruled that their resolution be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further necessary actions, ensuring that due process is followed in addressing the allegations against Chikeka.
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