Benue Assembly Removes Justice Ikpembese As CJ Over Petition From Gov Alia

The Benue State House of Assembly has removed Justice Maurice Ikpembese as the Chief Judge of the state.

The assembly also recommended the swearing in of Justice Theresa Igoche who is the next most senior judge as the acting chief judge of the state.

The removal of the chief judge followed a petition from the state governor, Hyacinth Alia, who accused the state chief judge of abuse of office, tempering with the state local government election law, corruption, inciting judicial strikes, bribery and fraternising with politicians.

However, lawmakers were divided on the issue as 13 out of the 31 members rejected the removal of the chief judge.

 Meanwhile, the Nigerian Bar Association has condemned the resolution by the Benue State House of Assembly directing Governor Hyacinth Alia to remove Justice Maurice Ikpambwese as the state Chief Judge.

NBA in a statement jointly signed by its President, Afam Osigwe (SAN), and General Secretary, Mobolaji Ojibara, on Wednesday described the resolution as inexcusable and a breach of the Constitution.

It stressed that that the House of Assembly of any state lacks the power to remove a Chief Judge without the involvement of the National Judicial Council.

“The Nigerian Bar Association views with contempt the purported resolution passed by the Benue State House of Assembly directing Governor Hyacinth Alia to remove the Chief Judge, Honourable Justice Maurice Ikpambwese, from office.

“The resolution is not only unjustifiable but violates the spirit and intent of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

“The removal of a judicial officer, especially one occupying the esteemed position of Chief Judge, must adhere strictly to due process as outlined in our Constitution. Any deviation from this process is a direct affront to the rule of law and poses a significant threat to our democracy.

“It is laughable for the House of Assembly of any state to purport to have the power to discuss, much less recommend, the removal of a Chief Judge without the involvement of the National Judicial Council,” the statement read.