Alleged Age Falsification: Why Imo State Chief Judge Shunned House Of Assembly’s Invitation

By Suleiman Anyalewechi

Facts have emerged as to why the embattled Chief Judge of Imo state, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka – Chikeka shunned the invitation extended to her by the House of Assembly State during the hearings on her alleged age falsification scandal.

The Imo State House of Assembly had, on Wednesday, July 17, 2024, at plenary, voted to ask Governor Hope Uzodinma to remove Justice Chikeka for allegedly altering her date of birth from 1956 to 1958.

They described the development as a serious act of misconduct, particularly, given the weight of her office as Chief Judge.

The State legislators said their decision was sequel to the findings and recommendations of an Ad hoc Committee that carried out an inquest into the matter.

The Committee was set up to investigate a petition authored by some persons in that regard.

In the course of carrying out its assignment, the House Committee invited all relevant stakeholders and concerned bodies including the Nigerian Law school, Imo state Head of Service, Judicial Service Commission, the petitioners and others.

They all made appearances as well as oral and written submissions according to the Committee.

However, the Imo State legislators said Justice Chikeka rebuffed all invitations to appear before the Committee.

But it has been revealed that the Chief Judge  refused to appear owing to a subsisting restraining order slammed on the Investigative Committee.

The Source reports that the House Committee had, on July 10, written to formally invite the Chief Judge. But ,on July 12, Justice Chikeka approached and obtained an Interim Court Order restraining the House Committee and ,the Imo state House of Assembly ,from inviting or continuing to invite or summon her.

The restraining order was sequel to a motion ex parte the chief Judge filed at the court.

In a motion on notice, Justice Theresa had also joined the House, the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice and the National Judicial Council NJC.

She urged the Court to restrain  the Respondents ,pending the hearing, and determination of the substantive suit .

The Court in granting her prayers ,issued an order restraining all the Respondents ,including the House Committee from further inviting and or summoning her to appear before it.

Hearing on the motion on notice has been fixed for September 19,2024.

The House had, in a resolution, authorized Governor Uzodinma to relieve the Chief Judge of her exalted position,based on her indictment over age falsification .

” 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 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 legislators stated.