Alleged Age Falsification: Imo Lawmakers Ask Gov Uzodinma To Sack Chief Judge

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

The Imo State House of Assembly on Wednesday  July 17, 2024, at its plenary, overwhelmingly voted for the removal of the State’s Chief Judge,Theresa  Chikeka.

The  Lawmakers  asked Governor Hope Uzodinma to relieve her of her position on  grounds of alleged age falsification.

The resolution of the House followed deliberations on the report of an Ad hoc committee constituted to investigate the  allegation against her.

The House set up the committee sequel to a petition brought before it by some individuals.

The State Lawmakers noted that age falsification is a grave criminal offence which should not be waved aside.

According to them, many notable figures,in the country, including Judges had in the past  summarily been  dismissed owing to age falsification.

The House stated that the Committee report indicted the Chief Judge for altering her date of birth from 1956 to 1958 ,thus reducing her age by two years.

The Committee, the House noted, described the act as a gross misconduct, unbecoming of a public officer of her standing.

“Following the recommendation of the Committee, and in keeping with the provisions of Section 292 (a) (11) of the 1999 Constitution as amended, which lists misconducts as one of the grounds on which a Governor, supported by a two-thirds majority of the House of Assembly, can remove the Chief Judge of a state,

the Imo State House of Assembly has authorized the Governor to remove Hon.Justice Theresa Ebere Chukwuemeka-Chikeka from office as Chief Judge of Imo State” the Imo State Lawmakers stated.

The House, also, noted that in the course of the Committee’s investigation, several individuals, and institutions made both oral and written submissions.

“The submissions, according to the Legislators, formed the basis for the Committee’s findings and recommendations

“They informed that the Chief Judge refused to honour invitations from the House Committee.

Other invited individuals and bodies including the petitioners, Civil Society groups, Head of Service of the State ,Imo state Judicial Council, Director of Adminstration of Nigerian Law School and a host of others registered appearance ,as well as made submissions.

It is not known whether the Governor will adhere to the recommendation of the Lawmakers or not.