The National Judicial Council, or NJC, has harshly criticized Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, the Chief Judge of Imo State, in her more than year-long struggle over age falsification.
The NJC requested that the Imo State Governor resign her with effect from 2021 during its 107th meeting, which was held in Abuja and chaired by the Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, according to a report from the apex legal commission.
The Commission also found her guilty of lying about her age, stating that she should have been retired since October 27, 2021, and ordered her to promptly repay all salary and allowances provided to her since that date to the NJC’s coffers.
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It’s important to remember that since 2022, there has been a “battle” to have Chikeka removed from office due to age fraud. It started when the Imo House of Assembly received a written petition against her. The House found her guilty and, as mentioned, advised that she retire immediately. However, the fight was not over because she regrettably turned to legal action, most likely in an attempt to clear her record and save her job.
However, the NJC eventually found her guilty of age falsification last weekend and mandated that she return all of the money she had been paid since October 27, 2021.
NJC states that the suggestion was made in response to the Council’s conclusion that His Lordship was born on October 27, 1956, and October 27, 1958.
Although October 27, 1956, seemed to be a consistent date of birth, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit in 2006 that changed the date of birth to October 27, 1958.
The Grand Kadi of Yobe State, Kadi Babagana Mahdi, was likewise retired by the NJC due to age fraud. He was convicted of having three distinct birth dates in 1959: July, December 10, and January 28. However, he was born in 1952.
As a result, the Council decided to suggest to the Governor of Yobe State that Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi be forced to retire and that he be reimbursed for all of his previous 12 years’ worth of pay and benefits.
