The Benue State House of Assembly has recommended the immediate removal of Chief Judge Justice Maurice Ikpambese, citing allegations of gross misconduct and abuse of office.
This decision was reached during a plenary session presided over by Speaker Aondona Dajoh, following a letter from Governor Hyacinth Alia outlining several accusations against the Chief Judge.
The allegations include:
- Abuse of office by overturning the Benue State Electoral Law, which was duly passed by the Assembly and assented to by the Governor.
- Misappropriation and mismanagement of the judiciary’s budgetary allocations and finances.
- Engagement with politicians and political office holders to secure favorable judicial outcomes.
- Indirect participation in and incitement of industrial actions against the state executive.
- Acts of bribery, corruption, and undue favoritism, including the appointment of cronies to unmerited positions.
During the session, 23 out of 31 members voted in favour of the Chief Judge’s removal.
The Assembly has directed that the next most senior judge be sworn in as Acting Chief Judge pending the outcome of an investigation by the National Judicial Council (NJC) into these allegations.
Given that 13 members did not vote, they questioned the legitimacy of the resolution passed.
However, 13 lawmakers have distanced themselves from the resolution, describing it as unconstitutional and a violation of the principles of separation of powers and fair hearing.
They emphasised that, according to the 1999 Constitution (as amended), a state Chief Judge can only be removed on the recommendation of the NJC, supported by a two-thirds majority of the House.
This development has sparked a debate on the adherence to constitutional provisions and the independence of the judiciary in the state.
