Benue State House of Assembly
The Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the removal of the Chief Judge of the State, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, from office over alleged gross misconduct, and abuse of office
The House maintained that his removal would pave the way for the National Judicial Commission, NJC, to investigate the allegations leveled against the Chief Judge.
The resolution of the House followed a correspondence from Governor Hyacinth Alia and read on the floor of the House by the Majority Leader, Mr Saater Tersee.
The correspondence alleged that the Chief Judge violated the ethical standard of the judicial system.
The Chief Judge was alleged to have overturned the Benue State Electoral law that was duly passed by the State Assembly and signed into law by the State Governor.
Justice Ikpambese was also accused of allegedly misappropriating the 2024 budgetary allocation of the Judiciary.
He was accused of undue favouritism, engaging with politicians and also being indirectly involved in the industrial action by judicial workers against the government.
The Chief Whip of the House, Peter Ipusu said the Chief Judge erred by tampering with the electoral law made by the State Assembly.
Calling for the matter to be put to vote, the lawmaker representing Gboko East, Becky Orpin moved a motion for members to vote on the matter. Her motion was seconded by the Deputy Minority Leader, Blessed Onah.
Given the heated argument for and against the removal of the Chief Judge, the Speaker of the House, Aondona Dajoh asked the Clerk of the House, Mr. John Kwande to divide the House which saw 23 of the 32 members voting for the removal of Justice Ikpambese.
Meanwhile, 13 members of the assembly have told newsmen after the assembly sitting that the action of their colleagues was unconstitutional.
The lawmakers led by Douglas Akya of Makurdi South Constituency said they dissociated themselves from the action taken on the floor of the assembly.
“This action is not only unconstitutional, it violates the principles of separation of powers and fair hearing which is necessary for the sustenance of democracy.
“The provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, clearly states a Chief Judge of a state can only be removed on recommendation of the National Judicial Council which is responsible for disciplinary actions against judicial officers on an address supported by two-third majority of members of the House of Assembly of a state praying for the removal of the state Chief Judge.”
“The attendance at today’s sitting was 31 members, the Speaker did not vote, and 13 members did not vote, therefore, it is unimaginable that in an Assembly of 32 members where 31 were in attendance and 13 members did not vote, the voting produced 23 votes,” he stressed.
They submitted that since none of the requirements for the removal of the Chief Judge had been met, they decided to distance themselves from the action as disciples of democracy and constitutionality.
