The Imo State House of Assembly has recommended the removal of Chief Judge, Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, for misconduct and alleged age falsification.
The recommendation was made pursuant to Section 292 of the Constitution.
The lawmakers voted overwhelmingly in favour of the recommendations of the house adhoc-committee, which investigated a petition brought by a civil society group, Civil Society Engagement Platform.
The petition alleged that Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka falsified her age, an offence punishable by dismissal.
The adhoc committee found that the Chief Judge adjusted her date of birth from October 27, 1956 to October 27, 1958, through a statutory declaration of age sworn in 2006.
The committee established that this was a clear case of misconduct and recommended her removal from office by the Governor, Hope Uzodimma.
The House also recommended that the resolution be forwarded to the National Judicial Council (NJC) for further and necessary action.
Justice Chukwuemeka-Chikeka had refused to honour the committee’s invitation, citing the 1999 Constitution as a reason.
The investigating committee had invited relevant persons and institutions, including the Head of Service, Imo State, and the Secretary, Imo State Judicial Service Commission, to establish the actual date of birth of the Chief Judge.
The committee’s findings showed that the Chief Judge’s date of birth was adjusted long after she filled her law school form, constituting a grave misconduct.
The recommendation for removal was adopted by all 19 members sitting at the Committee of the whole House.
The Imo State Government is yet to react to the development, but sources indicate that the Governor may act swiftly on the recommendation.
The NJC is also expected to take further action on the matter, following the recommendation of the House.