…As four-man adhoc committee submit report
Imo State House of Assembly has overwhelmingly, voted in favour of recommendations of the house adhoc committee asking the state governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma to remove the state Chief Judge, Hon Justice Theresa Ebere Chukwuemeka Chikeka from office for misconduct, pursuant to section 292 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria (as amended).
The legislative house further, adopted the committee’s recommendation that the house’ resolution on the committee’s recommendations be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further necessary action.
The house had earlier, set up a four-man adhoc committee for proper investigations and detailed report, following a petition brought before the house with caption, ” 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).
Consequently, pursuant to section 292 of the 1999 constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the petition was referred to an adhoc committee with the following as members , 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 in carrying out its assignment, invited relevant persons and institutions who made oral and documentary submissions which enabled the committee make recommendations that were considered by a committee of the whole house.
The Chief Judge of the state, Justice Theresa Chikeka refused to honour the committee’s invitation.
The investigating committee invited the Petitioners, Civil Society Engagement Platform( CSEP) which put up appearance through its director of investigations, Comrade Ndubuisi Onyemaechi and owned up the petition. The head of service, Imo state, secretary, Imo state judicial council, the director of Administration, Nigerian Law School were all contacted by the adhoc committee to find out the actual date of birth the Chief Judge filled in her form when she was admitted into the Nigerian Law School.
The secretary to Council and director of Administration at the Nigerian Law School as well as the head of service, Imo state sent written responses to the adhoc committee.
Submissions by all persons and institutions invited, except the Chief Judge, Chikeka, proved that indeed, the Chief Judge, Chikeka actually adjusted her date of birth from October 27, 1966 to October 27, 1958.
Based on this finding, the four-member adhoc committee concluded that Hon Justice Theresa Ebere Chukwuemeka Chikeka’s action amounted to misconduct.
Falsification of age is an act of gross misconduct for which several judges and justices, among other public office holders had been removed from office in Imo state and other parts of the world.
