NJC fires Imo Chief Judge, mandates return of 3 years’ pay over age falsification

The National Judicial Council, NJC, has harshly criticized Hon. Justice Theresa Chukwuemeka-Chikeka, the Chief Judge of Imo State, in her ongoing battle over age falsification, which has now been resolved after more than a year.

The Chief Justice of Nigeria, CJN, the Honourable Justice Kudirat Kekere-Ekun, presided over the NJC’s 107th meeting in Abuja, when it requested that the Imo State Governor resign her with effect from 2021, according to a report from the apex legal commission.

Since she should have been retired since October 27, 2021, the Commission found her guilty of lying about her age and ordered her to promptly refund all wages and allowances paid to her since that date to the NJC’s coffers.

The “battle” to have Chikeka removed from office due to age falsification began in 2022, and it is important to remember that. It started when a petition was submitted to the Imo House of Assembly criticizing her. However, the fight was far from done as she regrettably turned to legal challenges, most likely in an attempt to cleanse her name and keep her job, even after the House declared her guilty and advised her immediate retirement.

Ultimately, however, the NJC found her guilty of age falsification last weekend and mandated that she return all of the income and benefits she had received since October 27, 2021.

The Council’s conclusion that His Lordship has two distinct dates of birth—October 27, 1956, and October 27, 1958—led to the proposal, according to NJC.

Read Also:Edo PDP cautions Okpebholo on claiming credit for Temboga Road

In 2006, the Chief Judge swore to an affidavit modifying the date of birth to October 27, 1958, even though October 27, 1956, seemed to be a consistent date of birth.

Due to age fraud, the NJC also retired Kadi Babagana Mahdi, the Grand Kadi of Yobe State. He was convicted of being born on three separate dates in 1959—December 10, January 28, and July. In reality, however, he was born in 1952.

“The Council therefore decided to recommend to the Governor of Yobe State that Hon. Kadi Babagana Mahdi be placed on compulsory retirement and that he be reimbursed for all of his salaries and benefits over the previous 12 years.”