Crime

Imo assembly resolves on removal of chief judge over alleged age falsification

Justice Chikeka, Imo Chief Judge and Rt Hon Olemgbe, Hon. Speaker

By Ezurike Ugochukwu

The Imo house of assembly has directed for the removal of the state chief judge Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka, over alleged age falsification.

The house in a resolution at the plenary on Wednesday after the four-member committee set up to investigate the chief judge submitted its report recommended to Governor Hope Uzodimma for her removal

The house on July 3, set up the committee to investigate the chief judge following a petition from the Civil Society Engagement Platform (CSEP).

Ndubuisi Onyemaechi, The petition was signed by Ndubuisi Onyemaechi, CSEP director of investigation.

The petitioner alleged that Chikeka falsified her age to October 27, 1958, instead of October 27, 1956.

Presenting the report to the assembly, Ikenna Ihezuo, chairman of the committee, said the panel discovered that the chief judge forged her age as claimed by the petitioner.

Ihezuo said the allegation amounts to gross misconduct, which should not be condoned.

“The petition was signed by the organisation’s director of investigations, Comrade Ndubuisi Onyemaechi, and contained allegations against the Chief Judge of Imo state, Mrs Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka,” the report reads.

“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 the Imo State Judiciary Commission, and the accused, Mrs. Theresa Chukwuemeka Chikeka, Imo Chief Judge, for an interface.

“The committee also wrote the secretary to the council and director of administration, Nigerian Law School, to find out the date of birth the chief judge filled in her form when she was admitted into the Nigerian Law School.

“All those invited appeared before the panel, including the petitioners who adopted and owned up to the petition as their write-up. The chief judge refused to honour the committee’s invitation