From Everest Ezihe, Owerri
The over one year battle on age falsification by Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, the Chief Judge of Imo State has finally been settled as, the National Judicial Council, NJC, has come down hard on her
According to report emanating from the apex legal Commission, In its 107th meeting held in Abuja, and presided over by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, the NJC asked the Imo State Governor to retire her with effect from 2021.
The Commission also ordered her to immediately return all salaries and allowances paid to her since October 27, 2021 to the coffers of the NJC, as the Commission found her guilty of falsifying her age, noting that she should have retired since October 27, 2021.
It’s pertinent to recall that the “battle” to get Chikeka retired from office over age falsification had been on for since 2022. It began when a petition was written against her to the Imo House of Assembly. The House found her guilty and recommended her immediate retirement as stated but the battle was not over as she unfortunately resorted to legal battles, probably to clear her name and save her job.
But finally, last weekend the NJC found her guilty of age falsification and ordered that she refunds all salaries and allowances paid to her from 27th October, 2021, till date.
According to NJC, “the recommendation was pursuant to the findings of the Council that His Lordship has two different dates of birth: 27 October 1956 and 27 October 1958.
However, 27 October 1956 appeared consistent date of birth, but in 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit changing the date of birth to 27 October, 1958.”
The NJC also retired the Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi of age falsification. He was found guilty of having three different birth dates – 10 December, 28 January and July, all in 1959. But his actual birth date was 1952.
“The Council, therefore, resolved to recommend Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi for compulsory retirement to the Governor of Yobe State and that he should refund all salaries and allowances received for the past 12 years.”
