• Benue Assembly suspends 13 lawmakers for misconduct, orders refund of trip funds
• CRPP condemns removal of Chief Judge, demands reversal, accountability
David Arin, Jos
DAILY COURIER - The political and judicial landscape in Benue State has been thrown into turmoil as the National Judicial Council (NJC) reaffirmed Justice Maurice Ikpambese as the Chief Judge of the state, dismissing the controversial removal attempt by the Benue State House of Assembly. The development comes amid a wave of suspensions and allegations of misconduct within the Assembly, further escalating tensions in the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday, the NJC, through its spokesperson Kemi Ogedengbe, declared that Justice Ikpambese remains the Chief Judge of Benue State. The council emphasized that the purported removal by the Benue State House of Assembly was unconstitutional and lacked due process.
The NJC stated, “The attention of the National Judicial Council has been drawn to a certain media report to the effect that the Benue State House of Assembly has purportedly passed a resolution recommending the removal of the State Chief Judge, Hon. Justice Maurice Ikpambese, from office. Unfortunate as this development is, Council wishes to reiterate that there are clear and unambiguous provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, on discipline and appointment of Judicial Officers vested in the Council, which clearly are not adhered to in the instant case.”
The council revealed that it had received a petition against Justice Ikpambese but stressed that the allegations were yet to be investigated in line with its procedures and the principles of fair hearing. The NJC’s intervention has been widely seen as a move to prevent a constitutional crisis in the state.
Meanwhile, the Benue State House of Assembly has suspended 13 of its members for three months over alleged misconduct. The suspended lawmakers were accused of tarnishing the integrity of the legislative body by publicly denying their participation in the vote that led to the removal of Justice Ikpambese, despite records showing otherwise.
Speaker of the House, Hyacinth Dajoh, announced the suspension during a plenary session, naming the affected members as Douglas Akya (Makurdi South), Jonathan Agbidye (Katsina-Ala East), Beckie Orpin (Gboko East), Simon Gabo (Ushongo-Mata), Williams Ortyom (Agasha), Onah Blessed (Oju 1), Elias Audu (Gwer East), Anyor Mato (Kwande East), Manger Manger (Tarka), Solomon Gyila (Gwer West), Samuel Agada (Ogbadibo), Abraham Jabi (Buruku), and Ezra Nyiyongo (Ukum).
The lawmakers were also directed to refund funds allocated for an upcoming foreign trip, as they will no longer be eligible to participate. The suspension followed a motion by Majority Leader Comrade Saater Tiseer, who described the actions of the suspended members as deceptive and dishonorable.
The Coalition of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Benue State has also waded into the crisis, calling for the immediate reversal of Justice Ikpambese’s removal. At a news conference in Makurdi, the State Chairman of the Accord Party, Bishop Benson Ijachi, condemned the action as an assault on democracy and the rule of law.
“The Collation of Registered Political Parties (CRPP) in Benue State categorically condemns the unprecedented judicial rascality, intimidation, and abuse of power orchestrated by the government of Benue State in its reckless attempt to remove the Chief Judge, Justice Maurice Ikpambese, without following due process,” Ijachi stated.
The CRPP held the Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Barr. Fidelis Mnyim, responsible for failing to guide the governor on the legal implications of the action. The coalition warned that if the situation is not addressed, it would escalate the matter to the national leadership of political parties, the NJC, and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
The unfolding events in Benue State have raised concerns about the stability of its governance structures. The NJC’s intervention has temporarily halted the removal of Justice Ikpambese, but the suspension of 13 lawmakers and the CRPP’s strong condemnation indicate that the crisis is far from over.
As the state grapples with these challenges, stakeholders are calling for calm and adherence to constitutional processes to restore order and uphold the rule of law. The coming days will be critical in determining whether Benue can navigate this crisis without further escalation.
